The family of a woman who was shot dead in the hail of bullets in broad daylight fear for their lives. Thembelihle Zuma from Emakholweni in Umbumbulu in the south of Durban in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) was shot dead at her house on Monday evening. Her elder son, Sphumelela Zuma (20) says they are still in limbo as to why their mother was brutally murdered. "I'm still asking myself why my mother was killed mafia style because knowing her and having spent time with her, I don't recall her having enemies. My mother was my best friend and we use to talk about everything. I want to know why they had to kill her like this," said Sphumelela.

NEVER DID THEY THINK IT WAS THEIR MOM

Sphumelela said that he was with his mother on Monday before he went to visit his friend outside the family house. "We were chilling on the road with my friends when my mother left to visit our old sickly neighbour. My father sent someone to come help him fix the car as it had broken down not far from home. We were left behind when we heard gun shots. We never suspected that the gunshots were taking my mother's life. 

A CAR PASSED SPEEDING

Shortly after we heard the gunshots, a car passed us in full speed. It was of the same colour of the car that is allegedly to have killed my mother. If only we knew, we could have chased that car and make sure they don't get away," said Sphumelela sobbing. Sphumelela further said that his mother was unemployed and a devoted Chrisitian. Thembelihle left behind her husband and three sons. 

MOTIVE UNKNOWN

KZN SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said, "A case of murder was opened at Mid-Illovo Police Station for investigation. It is alleged that on 17 October 2022 at 17:05, a 49-year-old woman was at Makholweni area in Mid Illovo when she was fatally shot by an unknown suspect. She sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the body. The motive is unknown." Thembelihle was shot eight times.