Five more people have been shot and killed at Umlazi Township, south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), making it a total of eleven people killed in a space of two days in this township.
On Saturday, six people were shot and killed at Zamani informal settlement in the U-section.
In the video below, SABC Reporter Vusi Khumalo provides more details of Saturday’s shooting:
On Tuesday night, five people were shot and killed and three seriously injured at W-section.
It is alleged that in the latest incident, a group of people were in a house when three unknown gunmen entered and allegedly opened fire.
In a statement, the provincial MEC for Community Safety and Liaison Peggy Nkonyeni expressed concerns about the growing number of killings in this area.
“Over the past few days, eleven people have been killed in this township in two separate incidents. On Sunday at U-section six men were shot and killed,” says KZN Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Spokesperson, Kwanele Ncalane.
“Equally yesterday [Tuesday] at W-section, five males were attacked and killed. The MEC is concerned that this seems to be a growing trend in this township and placing the lives of other people in danger. We are calling for an urgent investigation in all these incidents regardless of what it is the motive of these killings,” explains Ncalane.
Police investigate
Meanwhile, KZN Police are investigating five cases of murder and three of attempted murder.
It is alleged that in the latest incident, a group of people were in a house when three unknown gunmen entered and allegedly opened fire.
“Thirteen people were in a house in W-section in Umlazi when they were attacked by three unknown individuals. The suspects opened fire on the people that were in the house and five men aged between 33 and 40 were shot in the head,” says Police Spokesperson, Jay Naicker.
“Three other victims aged between 27 and 29 were taken to a local hospital for medical attention. We also believe that there were five other females that were in the house. They were able to lock themselves in one of the rooms and were able to escape unharmed. The motive for the latest attack in Umlazi area is unknown at this stage,” adds Naicker.
Family members killed in Welkom
Meanwhile, four family members have been killed after gunmen fired shots at them in Thabong, Welkom on Monday night.
Free State Police Spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele says four unknown armed men allegedly entered a house at New Stands, Thabong.
Makhele says without a warning, suspects fired random shots at family members inside the house.
He says no one has been arrested and police are searching for the suspects.
