By Elmon Tshikhudo and Maanda Bele
Residents of Ha-Gumbu in the Mutale area are still trying to come to terms with the shocking death of their traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho-Takalani Andries Gumbu, who was gunned down at his home on Sunday, 12 February.
According to the family, Gumbu left his home on Sunday to visit the local hardware store. He also said that he will be visiting some relatives at Dopeni village. As he entered his house again at around 22:00 that night, he was ambushed by unknown suspects and shot several times before they fled the scene on foot.
The assailants, believed to be hired hitmen as nothing had been taken from Gumbu's person or his home, entered the yard through a cut fence and waited for him in a nearby unfinished house.
The family spokesperson, Ms Patricia Masikhwa, said they were overwhelmed with grief. "Gumbu was a peace-loving person who would not even hurt a fly. He drank, but he would go out and buy and come back and drink here at home. We do not know why anybody would plan to kill him. We are left with so many unanswered questions. We are totally devastated as a family," she said.
One of the first to arrive at the slain leader's home on Monday (13 February) was Musina Mayor Nkhanedzeni Mawela. "We are in complete shock and lack the words to express our grief. Gumbu was one of the traditional leaders who worked with us, so that service delivery reached our people. We are left in the dark as to why someone would decide to kill him in this manner. This is a peaceful area where we never hear of such incidents. Our plea is that more resources and personnel be apportioned to the Masisi Police Station to fight crime effectively. We sincerely send our condolences and deepest sympathy to the family in these trying times," he said.
The incident has shaken the closely knit and peaceful village, situated close to the Zimbabwean border. The village is known as a transit route for illegal cigarettes from Zimbabwe to South Africa, a safe passage for stolen luxury vehicles from South Africa to Zimbabwe and a passage for illegal foreigners. With so many sinister activities taking place in the area, some suggest that Gumbu might have infuriated smuggling syndicates, while others speak of boundary feuds in the area.
Meanwhile, Contralesa president Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena condemned the killing, as well as those of more than 40 other traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal. He urged the police to use the vigour they show when a politician is killed to hunt down the killers.
The Limpopo police confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said a team of seasoned investigators had been assembled to probe the incident. "Anyone with information should urgently contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Theophilus Musumuvhi, on 064 647 4058 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111," he said.
The funeral for Vhamusanda Gumbu will take place on Friday.