Survivors of the Orange Farm mass shooting live in fear

A local tavern owner allegedly followed Mphakamiseni Mbatha home after an argument, shot at the occupants of the house, killing seven of them, before turning the gun on himself on Sunday.

The deceased had celebrated lobola negotiations.

Innocent Matsione, who paid the lobola for his bride, said he regretted gathering his relatives on what was supposed to be a joyful day for them.

Mbatha, Matsione’s mother Petronella, Nomsa Makoni, Phindile Walaza, Fulufhelo, Calvary and Lonwabo Maisha all died at the scene.

“Sometimes it feels like it’s my fault. I feel like if I hadn’t paid lobola, people wouldn’t have gathered in one place. I look at my phone and listen to my mom’s voice notes.”

Matsione said they constantly have flashbacks to the shooting.

“It’s painful to watch. My sister and the old woman have to be escorted outside to get water because they are always afraid that something else might happen.”

One of the survivors who was hospitalized after the incident is a one-year-old child.

Matsione said the family was praying fervently for the child’s recovery after losing three-year-old Lonwabo Maisha in the attack.

“We keep our fingers crossed that the child is doing well. We cannot bear to lose another child. We pray every day that he survives because his mother is no longer with us,” said a distraught Matsione.

At the same time, Fortunate Matsione said he pretended to be dead after hearing the first shots outside their house.

“When he kicked the door, I acted like I had been shot too because a few bullets came through the wall.”

Matsione’s son was also shot.

“After Mbatha he shot my son, after my son he shot the disabled child Calvary, then he went into the bedroom to shoot my aunt. Then he shot the neighbor and left. After he left, I ran away too.”

He said his family had had no conflict with the tavern owner in the past, even though he was known for his violence.

Matsione said he found it hard to believe the shooter died because he saw no evidence of it.

“I don’t think he shot himself because I haven’t seen any evidence that he did [dead]. I think the police should just present evidence to prove to us that he killed himself too so we can’t find closure and peace. So we know there is no money for what he did.

“He got in the car and ran away.”

Matsione said sleeping was impossible because every time he closed his eyes he saw the gunman shooting at his loved ones.

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