Tragic Umzinto stabbing spree leaves five families mourning
Family and community members gather at the home of one of the victims in Malangeni, Umzinto. Five people were killed in brutal stabbing incidents on Saturday.
Image: Umdoni Municipality / Facebook
Umdoni Municipality has condemned the murders of five people in Umzinto at the weekend in a violent brutal attack by a man who reportedly later took his own life.
According to a SABC News report, the man committed suicide after the murders. However police did not confirm that at the time of publication.
Police said the incident began when a 32-year-old woman in Malangeni was stabbed multiple times inside her home following an argument with her partner.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was found with multiple stab injuries inside the house,” said KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
Soon after, the suspect, who fled the scene, allegedly stabbed two men, aged 53 and 58, along the road.
Two additional victims, aged 37 and 51, were also stabbed and later died from their injuries at a local clinic. Preliminary investigations suggest that the same suspect attacked all five victims.
Police said the motive for the attacks is still under investigation.
Umdoni Municipality mayor M.J. Cele-Luthuli, visited the grief-stricken families of the victims on Monday.
The municipality identified the woman who was killed as Nokwanda Mbili, a mother of four.
“The brutal killing of Ms Mbili is a heartbreaking reminder of the violence that continues to plague our communities. It is devastating that, during a period when we call for unity and action against gender-based violence, a mother of four loses her life at the hands of someone she trusted. We condemn this act in the strongest possible terms,” said Cele-Luthuli.
She conveyed her sincere condolences to the Mbili family and to the families of the murdered men including the Ngcobo family, the Mnguni family and the Mkhize family.
She further committed that the municipality, working with relevant government departments, will assist the families with psychosocial support, counselling, and any other necessary services.