/ 23 January 2009

Condolences pour in for slain traditional leader

Condolences continued to pour in on Friday for KwaZulu-Natal inkosi Mbongeleni Zondi, who was shot dead in Durban’s Umlazi township on Thursday.

Premier Sbu Ndebele and members of the provincial legislature visited Zondi’s family in Umsinga in the Midlands on Friday to convey condolences on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal government.

Speaking from Zondi’s home in Umsinga, Ndebele’s spokesperson, Logan Maistry, said members of the legislature had visited the Zondi family.

Zondi was a direct grandson of Bhambatha Zondi of the famous Bhambatha Rebellion against British colonial rule in 1906.

He was travelling along Stimela Avenue when his car was sprayed with bullets. Police collected 50 spent AK-47 cartridges.

Zondi was visiting his fiancée, Mbali Mbele, at Umlazi when he was killed.

Zondi was also close to African National Congress president Jacob Zuma. He recently hosted a ceremony for Zuma and Ndebele, where the two were thanked for hosting Bhambatha Centenary celebrations in 2006.

No one had been arrested in connection with Zondi’s death. The investigation continues. — Sapa