Operation Dudula members are mourning the death of one of their members who was allegedly shot and killed in an alleged xenophobic attack in Soweto.
Police have confirmed that they are investigating a case of murder and five counts of attempted murder following an altercation between Operation Dudula members and residents of Chicken Farm in Soweto on Monday. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Murudili said:
According to the police’s preliminary reports, it is alleged that on 18 April 2022 at about 16:30, a group of people allegedly residents of Pimville with Operation Dudula members marched to Chicken Farm informal settlement in Kliptown. Pimville residents are complaining about theft of electricity cables.
There was an altercation, shots were fired, one person was certified dead on the scene and five more people were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds for medical treatment. All of the victims are reported to be South Africans. A case of murder and five counts of attempted murder has been registered for investigation. No one has been arrested yet.
Operation Dudula spokesperson Enock Nango said:
a). there was an incident of a cable theft after it had been cut allegedly by some Sotho nationals.
b). Operation Dudula members went to find out about the cable theft and were confronted by some Sotho nationals who allegedly drew guns and shot them.
c). Operation Dudula members ran for cover but Kgomotso Diale was killed and about five were injured including women.
On Monday, Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla “Lux” Dlamini took to social media and claimed that “Zimbabweans and Sotho nationals allegedly attacked his group”. He also claimed that Eskom workers were sometimes killed for the cables.
Neo Diale, the brother of Kgomotso Diale, from Zone 7, who was shot in the head said his brother was shot after he fell down during the panic that took place when the first shots were fired.
He said Operation Dudula members took his brother on Monday to accompany Eskom workers who were afraid to replace the cable alone.
Nozipho Diale, who is Kgomotso’s mother, said she was shocked that Eskom needed protection from community members to do their work.
She also said the whole story was confusing considering that her son was not carrying any weapon.
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