Six people were shot dead on Saturday night in a drug related incident in Umbumbulu, south of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. It is alleged that the community heard gunshots but were too afraid to investigate who might have been shot. The bodies were only discovered on Sunday morning. 

SELLING NYAOPE

It is alleged that the owner of the house was involved in drug related activities in the area. A community member, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the deceased were known nyaope sellers and some were addicts who usually went to the drug lord's house to buy nyaope and smoke there. The community believes that the deceased were killed over drug turf wars in the area. "The owner of the house who is a known drug lord here was killed outside his house and by the look of things they wanted to kidnap him, but he refused to go with them, and they killed him at the gate," another community members said, adding that there is an ongoing turf war going on around KwaMakhutha, Adams Mission, Folweni and Umbumbulu. "Mass killings over drug trade in Durban are on the rise. There was a time where they shot seven people in Adams Mission over nyaope trade. It is an ongoing thing and more people will die," a resident said. 

INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 

KZN Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident. "Police in uMbumbulu responded to reports of a shooting incident at a house in the area. Upon arrival, six lifeless bodies were found, four lying inside a bedroom, one next to the gate and the owner of the house was found dead not far from his house. Two of the victims are female siblings, aged 21 and 16 years old. The owner of the house, aged 35 years old, was suspected to be involved in criminal activities including dealing in drugs and cable theft. The motive of the killing is unknown, but drug related activities could not be ruled out," he said.