Shock and fear have gripped the community of Bantini Location in Ngqeleni after a brutal shooting attack claimed the life of a young man and left two others wounded during a firewood collection trip on Sunday morning.
The horrifying incident unfolded shortly before 10:30 on 24 May 2026, when a group of residents reportedly went into a nearby forest to collect firewood. What began as a routine community activity quickly descended into chaos when an armed man allegedly confronted the group and opened fire.
Police and emergency personnel rushed to the scene after reports of gunshots echoed through the area. Upon arrival, officers found one victim lying next to a vehicle used to transport firewood. The man had suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and was rushed for urgent medical treatment.
Community members had already transported another injured victim to hospital before police reached the area.
As officers searched deeper into the forest, they made a chilling discovery — the body of a young man lying motionless with a gunshot wound to the forehead. The victim, believed to be about 22 years old and a resident of Bantini Location, was declared dead at the scene.
In a dramatic turn of events, police arrested a 76-year-old man who was allegedly still armed when officers confronted him. Authorities confirmed that the suspect was found in possession of a shotgun and a pistol, both legally licensed in his name.
The firearms were immediately confiscated and will undergo forensic examination as part of the investigation.
The motive behind the deadly shooting remains unknown, with investigators working to determine what triggered the violent attack.
The elderly suspect is expected to appear in the Ngqeleni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, as police continue their investigation into the deadly shooting.
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