South Africa’s violent crime scourge continues, following the loss of multiple lives this weekend in unrelated incidents.
In Gauteng, police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder after a shooting incident in Atteridgeville, West of Pretoria.
This after three people were found inside a VW Polo with gunshot wounds. Two of them were declared dead on the scene while the other one was taken to hospital.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says there was an Avanza with one person also fatally shot on the other side of the road.
“It is reported that a group of suspects shot at the VW vehicle and tried to hijack the Avanza to flee the scene, but the driver resisted, and they shot at him. They went on to hijack another Avanza which they fled the scene with. The motive of the shooting is unknown at this stage,” says Nevhuhulwi.
In neighbouring Limpopo, a 30-year-old man was arrested for stabbing and killing a fellow patron at a tavern in Ga-Mampa village, outside Mecklenburg.
Police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba elaborates, “The suspect and the 31-year-old victim were drinking together when a dispute erupted between them. Subsequently, the suspect purportedly brandished a sharp object and inflicted a fatal stab wound to the victim’s forehead. Police and emergency medical services were promptly called to the scene. Tragically, the victim was pronounced dead upon their arrival.”
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Also in Limpopo, the body of a 43-year-old male traditional healer was discovered in the mountains of Makonde village outside Thohoyandou. Police authorities say the corpse was found with multiple gunshot wounds.
A friend of the victim, who was allegedly at the scene, managed to escape and sought help from residents.
Ledwaba explains, “According to reports, the victim was with his friends gathering traditional herbs when the suspect, accompanied by a pack of approximately 20 dogs, approached them at the site. An altercation ensued between the suspect and the victim, leading to a heated argument.
“The suspect, who is known to the victim, brandished a firearm and fired multiple shots, fatally injuring him. In the chaos that followed, the victim’s friends managed to flee the scene and sought assistance from nearby community members,” concludes Ledwaba.
Police have opened a murder case.
