Death of horse racing mogul mounts fears of war in Qumbu, Eastern Cape

The brutal murder of well-renowned horse-racing businessman, Anele Luntinto, has sparked fears of a war in Qumbu, Eastern Cape, that resembles the cattle feud-influenced massacres of the early 1990s.

As reported by Dispatch Live Luntinto was gunned down by a hail of bullets in the driveway of his home in Mbentsa, on Thursday, 9 January.

Who killed Anele Luntinto?

Police in Qumbu are still investigating the brutal murder and while there have been no arrests made thus far, the crime has been linked with the shooting of two homesteads that took place two days later, not too far away from the businessman’s home.

The targeted homesteads belonged to the Philiso family, another prominent group in Qumbu. 52 of their sheep were taken shortly after the shooting. Fortunately, no persons were killed.

Ten of the sheep have since been recovered. However, no suspects were arrested in connection with the shootings.

Our attempts to get hold of Qumbu police were unsuccessful. However, regional chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in Qumbu’s O.R Tambo district, Xolile Nkompela, hinted at an escalating war related to incidents of stock theft in the area as a partial motive behind Luntinto’s killing.

Was this killing linked to feuds over stock theft in Qumbu?

Addressing the mourners, Nkompela pleaded with Luntinto’s family, his fellow business partners who are prominent figures in the horse-racing industry and community members, to not retaliate with violence.

“We beg the Luntinto family, horse racing industry and farmers and all those who loved Anele not to avenge his death, but to have confidence and assist the police in arresting the killers. Revenge killing will see many people, including innocent children and women killed,” Nkompela pleaded.

He noted that more than anything, the death of Luntinto was orchestrated by people who were jealous about his success in the industry.

The investigation is still ongoing.