The community of Imbali Unit 2 in Pietermaritzburg has been left in shock and mourning following the fatal shooting of a pregnant woman during a violent home invasion on Saturday night. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Thembeka Nene, was due to give birth next month when her life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
According to information provided by the family and police, the incident occurred at around 9pm when an unknown armed suspect allegedly forced his way into the family home. It is believed that the attacker jumped over the perimeter wall before smashing open a sliding door to gain entry.
A family member, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said the suspect entered the house and moved directly towards the bedrooms. At the time, an 18-year-old relative was watching television in the living area and ran to Nene’s room when the intruder came inside.
“The suspect ordered the people inside the bedroom to come out,” the family member said. “Thembeka tried to offer him money and household items, but he refused. He said he wanted them out of the bedroom.”
Moments later, Nene was shot and collapsed in front of her bedroom door. Emergency services were called to the scene, but she was declared dead on arrival. The teenager was also shot while attempting to phone the police and was rushed to hospital for medical treatment. The extent of the teenager’s injuries has not been publicly disclosed, but the family confirmed that the young relative survived the attack.
Another family member narrowly escaped death by hiding under a blanket in a separate room. “If he had seen that there was also another person inside, he would have shot the survivor as well,” the relative said.
In the aftermath of the attack, the family said they were still deeply traumatised and were forced to collect spent bullet casings while cleaning the house. “How do you kill a pregnant woman like this?” one family member asked. “She was always at home. We don’t know what she did to deserve this.”
The killing has also reopened old wounds for the family. In November 2022, a male relative was shot seven times just outside the same property’s gate. No arrests have been made in that case to date, adding to the family’s frustration and fear.
Ward councillor Vusi Ngwenya described the murder as “criminality without conscience” and said the incident had left residents living in fear. “Nothing was taken from the house,” Ngwenya said. “We appeal to the police to work tirelessly to find the person responsible for this horrific crime.”
uMgungundlovu District SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala confirmed that a case of murder and attempted murder has been opened. “The victim was found lying in front of her room in a pool of blood,” he said. “An unknown suspect forced entry into the house, shot both victims and fled on foot. Nothing was taken and the motive for the attack is unknown. Investigations are continuing.”
As the community mourns the loss of Thembeka Nene and her unborn child, residents are calling for increased police visibility and swift justice to ensure the perpetrator is brought to book.
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