Seven of the eight people who were gunned down at a tavern in Pienaar, east of Mbombela, Mpumalanga, have been buried in different areas.
Six people died on the scene while two others succumbed to gunshot wounds in hospital. The incident happened on Saturday last week. Two suspects have since been arrested following the incidents.
Funerals for the victims of the Pienaar shooting took place in private homes. Some of the families laid their loved ones to rest during the week due to security threats.
According to George Ndlovu, they laid the victim due to security threats.
The incident has sent shock waves throughout the area and surrounding villages.
The Sithole family who lost their daughter Pertunia Sithole says they are still in shock. Tom Phama spoke on behalf of the Sithole family about their devastation following the brutal killing of their loved one.
“We are saddened, you know such an incident has never usually happened. It is too easy just to get over such an incident, more especially being done to a child, a girl child. We are deeply saddened, we would like to see the law take its place.”
Video: Mpumalanga Tavern Shooting – One of eight victims laid to rest
Meanwhile, residents of Pienaar say they fear for their lives since the shooting incident. Some of the residents had this to say.
“We are actually shuttered by the things that have happened here in Pienaar. We used to see it on TV as it happened in other places, but we didn’t think it would happen to us. We are really shuttered about and sad. Our request is the police. Our youth is really dying and without the youth there is no tomorrow, there’s no future.”
“As a community, we feel they should add more security because there are more guns, more shootings every week people are killed especially the youth, we are not safe here at Msogwaba,”
Mpumalanga police say their investigations on the mass shooting continue. Provincial police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane says out of the eight deceased, one body has not been identified.
“Seven are already buried but one is still in the mortuary. We are appealing to anyone who has lost their loved one, He has dreadlocks that’s what we identified, and they call him by his nickname Mahlekza, we are calling anyone to come forward because he is still lying in the mortuary,”
Two suspects, Mduduzi Lubisi and Bongani Nkosi have been arrested and are facing eight counts of murder, robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms. The two are expected to appear in the Kabokweni Magistrate Court next Tuesday for a formal bail application.
