A man was shot and killed shortly after burying his friend in KwaCeza, outside Ulundi in the north of KwaZulu-Natal. Sabelo Mazibulo was allegedly shot and killed after burying his best friend who was killed when they were both robbed in Gauteng. It's alleged that the family of his deceased friend blamed him for their relative's death and they were enraged when he was given a platform to explain to mourners how his friend died.

HE WAS KILLED FOR NOTHING

Mazibuko's elder brother, Cebo, said that they are still trying to make sense of what happened. "My brother was an innocent person. I want to understand why he was killed. It happened exactly after he gave his account about what happened the night his friend was killed. Sabelo told the people who were in attendance that his friend was killed because of the ongoing war between the people from Ulundi, Nongoma, Mahlabathini and Umsinga. We don't understand why they killed him. We were not aware that some people thought that Sabelo had a hand in the murder of his friend. What we know is that he survived the shooting because he managed to run for his life when they were being shot at. We thought the family was going to get closure if he told his side of the story since he was present when the shooting happened," he said.

AVENGING THEIR RELATIVE'S DEATH?

According to the people who attended the funeral, the family of the man who was killed told the people that there were going to avenge his death. KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident and said that the police responded to reports of a murder at a hospital and information indicated that the 45-year-old deceased was shot during a funeral service. "Police in Mahlabathini have opened a case of murder for investigation after a man who was reportedly shot at a homestead at KwaJikaza and was confirmed deceased upon arrival at a hospital. Circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated," he said.