Cape Town – The community of Tantseka village in the Eastern Cape is reeling in shock following the shooting of seven family members who were mourning the death of a relative on Wednesday.
Reports alleged that the family members were gunned down by suspects who stormed their Tantseke village home at midnight and demanded R50 000 which had been paid out to the family by a burial society but had not been able to find it.
The family had gathered at the family home in preparation for the funeral of their relative, Novotile Mgxada who was shot and killed last week, IOL reported.
The report said that six of the victims between the ages of 29 and 68 died at the scene while a seventh victim died in hospital in Mthatha.
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Mgxada’s husband, Mlamli Mgxada said he had no idea why his family was being targeted, News24 reported.
“Last week they came and demanded to see me but my wife refused to tell them where I was hiding. They shot her dead. They also shot my grandson, but he survived after he was treated in hospital,” Mgxada was quoted as saying.
A police report revealed that Mgxada was involved in a group fighting stock theft in the area and was embroiled in the infighting but Mgxada didn’t believe this was linked to the shootings, said the report.
The report said seven cases of murder had been opened, and were being investigated by the provincial Organised Crime Unit.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
