2 KwaMashu Pupils Shot Dead in Besters as KZN Education MEC Condemns Attack

• Unknown suspects opened fire on a group of teenagers in a house in Besters, KwaMashu, on Tuesday morning
• KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka condemned the shooting and called on traditional leaders and communities to protect children
• The Besters attack follows a separate school shooting in Pinetown where a 19-year-old pupil was killed

KWAZULU-NATAL — KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Sipho Hlomuka expressed deep concern over the recent violent assault on school-aged youth in Besters, KwaMashu, calling the event an unprovoked tragedy. His statement emphasized the urgent necessity of restoring safety within communities so that children can attend school without fearing for their safety. The incident took place over a week after four men were found shot dead in Gqeberha.

KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Sipho Hlomuka speaks out following KwaMashu shooting

The violent event unfolded when multiple armed individuals burst into a local residence where five youths, ranging from 16 to 18 years old, had gathered. Gunfire erupted inside the home, resulting in the immediate death of one 16-year-old boy. Another 16-year-old girl was rushed to a medical facility but passed away shortly after being admitted. Three remaining teenagers sustained injuries and are receiving ongoing medical care.

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Police representative Lt-Col Paul Magwaza confirmed that law enforcement officers in Ntuzuma have launched double murder and triple attempted murder dockets. Authorities are still searching for the perpetrators and working to determine what triggered the fatal attack.

MEC Hlomuka offered sympathy to the families of the victims, school staff, and local residents impacted by the disaster. He urged traditional leaders, residents, and local organizations to partner directly with police units to safeguard young people.

This violence comes shortly after another fatal shooting inside Ndengezi Intermediate School in Pinetown, where a 19-year-old lost their life, according to police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda.

Hlomuka also visited the school following the incident. View a post about his visit on Facebook:

KZN gang suspects shot dead in SAPS shootout

In a related article, Briefly News reported on a suspected West Gang member who was fatally shot during a confrontation with police in Inanda, north of Durban. The suspect, known as “Sniper,” was allegedly linked to several serious crimes and a viral video showing armed men in KwaMashu.

Police opened an attempted-murder case as investigators examined the circumstances of the shootout. The incident follows several recent operations in Inanda in which wanted suspects were killed and firearms recovered.

Source: Briefly News