THEY ARE CONFUSED by the brutal killing of the headman, Mr. Aaron Dlungwane (80), who was attacked at his home in Ndulwini, Bulwer.
Dlungwane was shot dead on Sunday night. It is said that the deceased heard footsteps in his house, went out to see what was going on, the oxen then shot at him and then killed him.
The king of Makhuzeni, Bheki Dlamini, said that Dlungwane may have been killed because he was constantly reprimanding bad things happening in the community.
“The chief was always telling the truth. I don’t know if his departure has anything to do with this. This is the first time that this has happened in the nation for a chief to leave with a weapon. Chiefs always leave sick. We are still confused.”
The king said that Dlungwane was like a library, he said that he had been chief for more than 20 years.
“History knew and he helped me a lot when I took the throne since I came to him and other chiefs.”
The king said it is still difficult to accept Dlungwane’s death.
“I am at a loss for words. A person who was so grown up has never had his life taken away in this way? What did he do? What did he say that caused his life to be taken in such a cruel way? Was there no way for this story to be told? We urge the police to take action on this matter. We want to see the killers. We want to know what made them come to do such a painful thing?
The Prime Minister of Makhuzeni, Mr. Mzonzima Siwela, said they were deeply saddened by the death of Dlungwane.
“It’s sad and bitter for the nation. People are crying about the leader who was loved by all the people.”
The spokesperson for Bumbano Chiefs, Mr. Phakamani Dlamini, said that the killing of Dlungwane will bring shame to the chiefs and the community.
“Most of the time, when chiefs are killed, there are things in the community such as reprimanding cattle thieves. When chiefs are killed, people are afraid to speak. We are saddened by the killing of such old leaders.”
Dlamini said they want a commission to discuss the killing of indigenous leaders, and said they also want the death penalty brought back.
“No country can kill its old leaders with such brutality. That is why we say we want the death penalty to be brought back to punish those who kill leaders with such brutality.”
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, did not respond to the questions sent to him.