Orange Farm mass shooting survivors living in fear

It’s alleged a local tavern owner followed Mphakamiseni Mbatha home after an altercation, and shot at the occupants of the house, killing seven of them before turning the gun on himself on Sunday.

The deceased had been celebrating lobola negotiations.

Innocent Matsione, who was the one paying the lobola for his bride, said he regrets calling his relatives together on what was meant to be a joyful day for them.

Mbatha, Matsione’s mother Petronella, Nomsa Makoni, Phindile Walaza, Fulufhelo, Calvary, and Lonwabo Maisha all died at the scene.

“Sometimes it feels like it’s my fault. I feel like if I hadn’t paid lobola then people wouldn’t have gathered in one place. I look at my phone and listen to my mother’s voice notes.”

Matsione said they have constant flashbacks of the shooting.

“It’s painful to watch. My sister and the old woman need to be escorted outside to get water because they are always scared something else will happen.”

One of the survivors who was rushed to hospital following the incident is a one-year-old child.

Matsione said the family was praying hard for the child’s recovery, after losing three-year-old Lonwabo Maisha in the attack.

“We’re crossing our fingers that the child will be ok. We can’t bear to lose another child. We’re praying every day that he should survive because his mother’s no longer here with us,” said a distraught Matsione.”

At the same time, Fortunate Matsione said he pretended he was dead after hearing the first few gunshots outside their home.

“When he kicked the door, I pretended that I also got shot because there were some bullets that came through the wall.”

Matsione’s son was also shot.

“After Mbatha he shot my son, after my son he shot the disabled child Calvary, then he went to the bedroom to shoot my aunt. Then he shot the neighbour and left. After he left I also ran away.”

He said his family had no history of conflict with the tavern owner, despite that he was known for being violent.

Matsione said he found it difficult to believe that the shooter died because he hadn’t seen any evidence of this.

“I don’t believe that he shot himself because I haven’t seen any proof that he’s also [dead]. I think the police should just come with evidence to show us that he killed himself too so that we can’t find closure and peace. So, we know that there’s no to pay for what he did.

“He got in the car and ran off.”

Matsione said sleeping was impossible because each time he closes his eyes he sees the gunman shooting at his loved ones.

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