The community of Mthekwini in the rural Hluhluwe in the north of KwaZulu Natal is leaving in fear after an elderly woman and her daughter were shot dead and then set alight inside their house. Nonhlanhla (41) and her mother Saraphina Manqele (80) were killed on Thursday allegedly by three gunmen.

It's alleged that Nonhlanhla who is a teacher had visited her mother to bring her groceries after getting paid. The neighbour who spoke to ZiMoja said that they are now leaving in fear because the reason for their murders is still unknown. A neighbour who did not want to be named said she was doing gardening when she saw a car parking outside the Manqele gate. "I saw three men getting out of the car and went inside my neighbour house. Within a couple of minutes, I heard gunshots. I immediately took cover because I feared for my life. Minutes later, I saw a 15-year-old girl running towards my house and saw one man charging towards him and shooting. Luckily the young girl was only shot in the arm but managed to run for cover. The man who shot the girl went back to the house and the next thing I saw smoke coming from the house. The men went back to their car and they sped off," the neighbour said. The neighbour added that they contacted the police while they tried to put the fire off, but it was too late for the mother and daughter.

Gogo Saraphina Manqele

Murdered Nonhlanhla Manqele

Nonhlanhla's 15-year-old son Bayanda who survived the attack was poured with petrol by the attackers but were unable to set him alight. His sister was at school when the family was attacked. "We don't know if the men will come back to finish off what they started especially that they saw that the young boy survived," she said. KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Nqobile Gwala confirmed the incident. "A charge of murder, attempted murder and arson are investigated by Hluhluwe SAPS. It is alleged that on 31 January 2024 three unknown suspects entered the house where two victims aged 40 and 80 were seated and opened fire. Both victims died at the scene. A 15-year-old boy sustained injuries. The house where the victims were was allegedly set alight by the suspects. The matter is still under investigation," she said.