In a tragic incident that unfolded early Saturday morning, seven victims died and two others were left injured in a harrowing mass shooting at the notorious Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.
Glebelands Hostel mass shooting: Here’s everything we know
The victims, ranging in age from 20 to 40, were gathered in a room at Block 57 of the hostel, enjoying an evening of camaraderie and refreshments, when a group of unidentified assailants unleashed a hail of gunfire around 02:45 on Saturday, 3 June 2023.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed that seven men tragically died at the scene, while two others were rushed to the hospital to receive urgent treatment for their serious injuries.
The Umlazi police have initiated an investigation and filed a docket containing seven counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder in response to the shocking shooting incident.
Expressing deep concern over the callous nature of the killings, KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for Transport, Community Safety, and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, made an emotional appeal to the Umlazi community, urging them to assist the police in identifying and locating the perpetrators responsible for this heinous act.
Hlomuka emphasised the formation of a high-level task force, dedicated to relentlessly pursuing the suspects and uncovering the motive behind this senseless violence.
“We are shocked and dismayed by yet another atrocious crime in our community. The loss of numerous lives is utterly unacceptable,” stated Hlomuka, adding that the police have assured him of their unwavering commitment to the investigation. The incident occurred shortly after the release of crime statistics, which highlighted several police stations, including the Umlazi police station, as focal points due to elevated murder rates.
Highlighting the history of violence and bloodshed that has plagued the Glebelands Hostel, Hlomuka acknowledged the previous scrutiny the location had faced during the Moerane Commission of Inquiry into political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
In response, the Department of Transport, Community Safety, and Liaison pledged to allocate additional resources, including personnel and vehicles, to bolster the capacity of affected police stations.