What was meant to be a joyous day for the Gcabashe family as they celebrated their sister's traditional wedding turned into tragedy when four brothers were gunned down, hours before the celebration. Brothers Bhekisisa, Msawenkosi, Sanziso and Veli Gcabashe were shot and killed while they were preparing for their sister Phumzile's wedding at KwaNgoza Village in KwaZulu Natal on Sunday morning.

WEDDING WENT ON THE TRADITIONAL WEDDING

It is alleged that the Gcabashe brothers were seated in one of the rondavels singing, dancing and drinking umqombothi (traditional beer) when five unknown men entered and gunned them down. Speaking to ZiMoja, Phumzile's husband, Msizi Shangase, said everyone was shocked when they heard the gunshots as people were busy celebrating with song outside. "The wedding had to continue as per custom even after the murders,". Msizi said that as much as they are happy that they were able to continue with the traditional wedding as planned, he will never forget that day. "I really don't understand why something like that had to happen. We were forced to continue with the traditional wedding because according to the Zulu culture, it is a taboo to postpone a wedding. We are still trying make sense of what really happened and why it happened," Msizi said. 

MORE RECENT SHOOTINGS IN THE AREA

It is still unclear on the motive behind the murders is. "We are not sure about our safety now as we don't know whether the killers who did this will come back to finish off what they started," he said. Msizi added that the gunmen also shot three more people who were outside the roundavel. The injured were taken to hospital where they are receiving treatment. Ndwedwe Local Municipality, Mayor Sam Mfeka, confirmed the incident. "We are worried about the rising number of people who are being shot and killed by unknown suspects. There is a group of young men who were recently shot and killed while they were playing pool at a local shop. In another incident, three women were attacked, shot and killed. People are terrified. We are pleading for calmness and for locals to allow the police to do their job so that the criminals can be brought to book," Mfeka said.

MOTIVE UNKNOWN

KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident. "Police in Ndwedwe have launched a massive manhunt for two suspects who shot and killed four men from the same family in the Mzunga area in the early hours of Sunday, 21 April. Information at police's disposal at this stage suggests that a number of men were gathered when the suspects came in and opened fire. Three men were certified dead on the scene. Five more men were rushed to a nearby clinic for medical attention, however, one more victim was declared dead on arrival. The motive of the killing has not yet been established," he said.