The man who was wanted for the murder of two sisters from Hawayi Village in Bhukhanana, outside Empangeni in the north of KwaZulu Natal, was shot and killed at his hideout yesterday. The man, Sibonelo Xulu, was wanted for the murder of sisters Nomvula (30) and Noluthando Zulu (20) who were shot and killed in November last year.

According to KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Nqobile Gwala, the wanted man was shot and killed at his hideout place in Cato Crest outside Durban yesterday morning. "In the early hours of this morning, police officers from the stabilisation team were following up on information regarding a suspect who was sought for a double murder and robbery case that occurred in Melmoth last year. The team proceeded to a place at the Cato Crest informal settlement ,where the suspect was hiding, to execute a warrant of arrest," Gwala said. She added that when the police officers approached the suspect, he drew his firearm and opened fire at police officers. Gwala said the suspect was fatally wounded during the shoot-out. "He was found in possession of unlawful firearm with three rounds of ammunition. The shooting incident was reported to IPID for investigation," she said.

Sibonelo Xulu was fatally shot by the police

Nomvula had broken up with Xulu when he shot and killed her on Saturday 19 November 2023 along with her younger sister Noluthando, who passed away a few days later at Ngwelezane Hospital. Their older sister Bongi who spoke to ZiMoja soon after their murders, said the family was in disbelief that the two sisters were shot on the same day. When her sisters were shot, some members of the family were attending the funeral of one of their relatives. "What shocked us the most is that they were shot by the man whom we all knew as a family. I am still shocked that Nomvula was shot and killed by someone who once claimed to love her," Bongi said at the time. She added that what puzzled them the most is the fact that he went on and shot Noluthando who had nothing to do with their relationship.