Five men have been arrested in connection with the murder of three people who were killed at a KwaMashu hostel.

Provincial police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said police had been called to the hostel on Friday where they found three men with multiple gunshot wounds who were declared dead at the scene.

A fourth victim was shot in the hand but is in a stable condition at a local hospital.

Naicker said the police had followed up on leads and early on Saturday arrested five suspects aged between 20 and 30 near the Thembalihle Station in KwaMashu.

“Police recovered four firearms with their serial numbers filed off, which are presumed to be the murder weapons. The two pistols and two revolvers will be sent for ballistic testing,” he said.

The five suspects have been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and are expected to appear in court in Ntuzuma soon.

Naicker said the motive for the attack was unknown and further arrests were possible.

Ward councillor Thembokwakhe Xulu said that when he heard about the shooting, he had called immediately and had also made his way to the hostel.

“When we got there, they were all dead with multiple gunshot wounds. It was such a sad thing to see. Especially since no one knows what happened as they were just sitting when they were suddenly attacked,” he said.

Xulu said there was a huge problem with people being killed without any apparent motive at the hostel, saying he had asked tenants to report “dodgy” characters to him or the police.

mpume.madlala@inl.co.za