By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kwazulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube condemned the killing of AmaNtungwa traditional council Inkosi Siphamandla Khumalo and described it as a tragic loss to the community and the province.
AmaNtungwa traditional council Khumalo (41) and his wife were ambushed on the Utrecht/Kingsley road R34 while driving to a traditional event in Nquthu on Saturday.
The couple’s four-year-old son, who was in the vehicle, survived the attack unharmed.
Dube-Ncube said, the murder of Inkosi Khumalo and his wife comes almost a year after he survived an assassination attempt on his life when unknown gunmen opened fire on him, near his home, in November last year.
“I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the Khumalo family and the AmaNtungwa Tribal Authority on this tragic loss of their beloved Inkosi and his wife,” said Dube-Ncube.
Khumalo was the Chairperson of the Amajuba Chairperson of the Local House of Traditional leaders in the Amajuba District as well as an Executive Committee member of the Provincial House, of Traditional Leaders in Kwazulu-Natal.
He is the latest casualty in assassinations and assassination attempts of traditional leaders in the Kwazulu-Natal province.
Traditional leaders in the province have previously appealed to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to do something about the on-going violence against traditional leaders.
Newcastle Mayor, Xolani Dube, praised Khumalo as a dedicated and active member in the traditional institutional structures as well as a good leader for his community.
“Inkosi Khumalo served his community with distinction and due diligence. As a member of the Amajuba Local House of Traditional Leaders, He fostered improved relations between different spheres of government and the institution of traditional leadership to the benefit of communities residing in the District” said Dube.
The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Leaders has condemned the ruthless killings of traditional leaders in the province and expressed their loss at the passing of such a prominent member in traditional leadership. “Our deepest condolences go out to the Khumalo family, the friends, and the entire Amantungwa clan and Zulu royal household during this challenging period.”
“The loss of Inkosi Khumalo is not only felt by his immediate family but also reverberates through our portfolio of traditional leadership, the provincial house of traditional Khoisan leadership and the entire Khumalo clan, ” said department spokesperson, Siboniso Mngadi.