A grieving family in Welbedatch is preparing to lay two of their loved ones to rest in St Faith following a horrific chain of violence that claimed four lives and left a community in shock. The tragic incident, believed to be a revenge attack, has deeply affected residents and raised fresh concerns about escalating violence.
Among those killed were 18-year-old Karabo Ayanda Gumede and his aunt, Fikile Gumede. The identities of two other young men who also lost their lives in the same attack have not yet been officially confirmed. The killings have been described as brutal and calculated, with police now searching for two suspects believed to be responsible.
According to information from a surviving witness, the suspects were travelling in a blue vehicle at the time of the shooting. Authorities believe the violence may have been triggered by an earlier incident that took place on Sunday night.
It is alleged that Karabo and his friends stepped in to help three young women who had reportedly been robbed. Determined to assist, the group pursued the alleged attackers and managed to apprehend them. Community members soon gathered and reportedly assaulted the suspects.
Tragically, one of the alleged perpetrators later died in hospital due to injuries sustained during the assault, while another remains in critical condition. This incident is believed to have sparked a retaliatory attack that would later claim multiple lives.
In what appears to have been an act of revenge, gunmen allegedly tracked down Karabo and his friends to a nearby tuckshop. Witnesses reported that the attackers opened fire repeatedly, shooting the victims in the head and chest. Karabo and two of his friends died at the scene.
The violence did not end there. The suspects reportedly made their way to the Gumede family home shortly after the shooting. Once inside, they entered a bedroom and opened fire on Fikile Gumede. It is believed she may have been mistaken for someone else who had escaped the earlier attack.
Fikile was rushed to R.K. Khan Hospital, but she was sadly declared dead on arrival.
Karabo’s mother, who was inside the house during the attack, recounted the terrifying ordeal. Having recently been discharged from hospital following an operation, she said she had locked herself in her bedroom when she heard unusual noises outside.
At first, she believed there was a disturbance in the yard. However, as the situation escalated, she remained silent and listened closely. Moments later, she heard a door being forcefully shut as the attackers fled.
“When things went quiet, I called out to my sister, but she didn’t respond,” she said. “When I went to check, I found her lying in a pool of blood. She was still breathing at the time.”
In a desperate attempt to save her sister, she ran out to seek help and tried contacting emergency services. A passing motorist eventually stopped and assisted her in getting to a nearby ambulance depot.
While rushing back home to transport her sister to hospital, she received devastating news — her son, Karabo, had already been shot and killed near the tuckshop along with his friends.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects, and investigations into the incident are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this stage.
As the community mourns, the Gumede family now faces the painful task of burying their loved ones, victims of a senseless cycle of violence that has left lasting scars.
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