'You're going to die like dogs'
2003-11-10 15:50
Zenzele Kuhlase
Balfour - An Mpumalanga farm worker killed three people, including a mother who was breastfeeding her newborn baby, after telling them they were about "to die like dogs".
He then shot and killed himself, said Eastern Highveld police spokesperson Inspector Busaphi Sibanyoni.
The shooter, Lucas Nkala, 29, went to the home of William Dlamini in the compound at Beerlaagte farm in Balfour on Sunday morning, just after midnight.
"Because they knew him from a neighbouring farm, they let him in, even though he had a firearm," said Sibanyoni.
Dlamini and his two adult nephews, John and Bafana Makhubu, had been watching TV, while his wife was breastfeeding their three-week-old baby in the bedroom.
"Before anyone could say anything, Nkala allegedly told them they would die like dogs and opened fire," said Sibanyoni.
Dlamini and John were shot dead, while a stunned Bafana was left unhurt.
The gunman then went to Dlamini’s bedroom and shot Dlamini’s common-law wife Joyce Mokoena, 29, who had been breastfeeding their three-week-old baby.
The baby was not harmed.
Nkala allegedly returned to the TV room and shot himself dead in front of Bafana.
The motive for the attack is not known.
The child is in the care of relatives.
- African Eye