"The motive was pure criminality"

KwaZulu-Natal killings 'pure criminality'

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal police have linked the recent murders of 10 people at Shongweni Dam and Mariannhill and have labelled them as "pure criminality", the province's Hawks head Major-General Johan Booysen said on Thursday.

"The motive was pure criminality. They robbed the people of household goods such as TVs, money, appliances, in both incidents," he said.

He said police can confirm that both killings in the areas were linked.

Among the dead were two boys, Thalente and Mthobisi Zulu, aged two and eight. The other victims were named as Thabani Zulu, aged 18, Nokuthula Zulu, aged 22, Sthembiso Nxusa, aged 29, and 40-year-old Ngenzeni Hlongwane.

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped. A 32-year-old woman was also shot, but survived and was being treated in hospital.

In Mariannhill criminals attacked last Thursday and four people were killed.

One more person sought

Nolusindiso Sikhotha, aged 30, her six month old baby, Sesethu, her partner Bongani Mngomezulu and his brother, Vasco Msane, were gunned down in their home.

Booysen said police were looking for one more person in connection with the killings.

A 22-year-old man handed himself over to police in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday morning.

He was due to appear in the Pietermariztburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Philani Nxele, the prime suspect in the killings, was shot dead by the police when he allegedly opened fire on them on Sunday afternoon. Nxele's brother, Khetha was still being sought by police for questioning.