A family from Ivory Park in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, is living in fear after a man shot and killed three family members over their appliances. Siyabonga Mthembu (36) his girlfriend Vinolia Laka (28) and his nephew Tshepang Malema (17) were shot and killed in cold blood by the man who is allegedly a mashonisa. Zama Mthembu, who is both Siyabonga's brother and Tshepang's father, said that they were living in fear after the man promised to come back and finish them off.

FAMILY SHOT AND KILLED

Mthembu told ZiMoja that their troubles started over a week ago when the killer, a well-known mashonisa in the area who is also known to the family, called the family to demand some of their appliances. "We don't owe him anything but he called and demanded that we give him our appliances. We thought he was joking because we know him and he used to come to our house," Mthembu said. He added that while they were watching TV last Sunday, 14 July, he came to their house, pointed a firearm at them and robbed them of two cellphones, a PlayStation and a TV remote control before tying their hands and leaving them locked inside the house. "He again called my younger brother during the week, telling him that he was going to come back and take the flat screen TV. He instructed my brother to bring it to him; if not, he would kill him. My brother didn't do that and on Monday night, he came back again. This time he was with his three other friends; they went straight into the room and shot and killed my brother, his girlfriend and my son. I escaped because they failed to open the room that I was hiding in," he said.

DANGEROUS MAN

The police have since launched a manhunt for the dangerous man who is wanted for numerous crimes committed around Ivory Park and Tembisa. Gauteng SAPS Spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo confirmed that three people were shot and killed on Monday night. "A 36-year-old male, his girlfriend (28) and a 17-year-old grade 11 learner were shot and killed on Monday in Ivory Park, outside Tembisa, in Johannesburg," he said. Masondo added that the search for the suspect is continuing.