Police minister visits KZN community
South Africa’s police minister on Monday thanked a rural KwaZulu-Natal community for the role they played in helping police arrest the suspects who hacked eight family members to death recently.
Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko visited the Mncwabe family on Monday and thanked local residents who helped police in their efforts to track down and arrest the suspects, saying community participation was integral to helping police solve crime.
“Police were able to move swiftly and arrest the criminals who have now been tried and sentenced to multiple life terms because of the involvement and help from the local community,” Nhleko said. “We invite all communities to work closely with law enforcement officer to ensure that criminals are removed from society.”
The killings took place on October 21 at Mabheleni in Mzumbe when two men attacked a family homestead, burning and hacking to death eight members of the Mncwabe family, ranging in age from one year to 70 years.
The minister also praised the swift trial and sentencing of the suspects arrested in connection with the murders, saying: “This proves that the combined effort by community, police and prosecution authorities can make a difference and I commend all who have ensured that these criminals have been moved away from the community.
“We need more communities to cooperate with the police and also on our part, the police need to be in touch with the communities they serve so that they will be able to get the information which is necessary to solving crime.”
Thulani Donatus Mncwabe and Sibonelo Eric Mncwabe pleaded guilty to the murders late last month and were sentenced by the Pietermaritzburg High Court to seven life terms each and an additional 20-years for one of the murders.
Addressing members of the Mncwabe family, he said it was not possible to understand the depth of their pain, but added: “We are here to share your pain. We cannot imagine what you are going through but we hope that in not so distant future, you will find a way to cope with such a tragedy. You have to find a way to deal with this and this community should pledge that such will never happen again in this area.”
Those that were killed included Mantinga (70), Shonisile (60), Amanda (15), Amahle (13), Phindile (30), Andile and Philasande who were just over a year old and Amahle Mhlongo also just over a year old.
“These killings indicate that there is something wrong with our society. This can be solved by good police work underpinned by community involvement and participation,” he said.
Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane also addressed the community and appealed for closer working relationship between the police and the community.
“We do not have a policeman or woman for each and every house. Let us accept our responsibility as a community to work alongside the police and together, we will keep South Africa safe,” said.