Pietermaritzburg - Police are investigating a gang brawl that left one person dead and 15 injured in the Pietermaritzburg CBD.
According to police sources, two rival gangs clashed in the Matsheni Beer Hall on Saturday morning.
It is alleged that at least a dozen gang members stormed into the bustling beer hall armed with pangas, knob-kieries, knives and axes and, without warning, began attacking people in the chaotic crowd.
A witness, Eric Chonco, said he heard women screeching and saw blood flying. “It was like a scene from a movie. People were crying and screaming and lying on the floor bleeding. It was frightening.”
Chonco said it appeared the attackers were targeting specific people.
“They knew exactly what they were doing. I cannot believe they would do that in a place full of people. They didn’t care who saw them.”
Paramedics said 10 to 15 people were taken to hospital, while one person was confirmed dead.
The 20-year-old deceased man, who is yet to be identified, suffered several wounds to his head, neck and torso.
Police believe the attack is related to a feud between two gangs operating in the area, the 26s and the 28s.
The chairman of the local Matsheni residents committee, Dumisani Mdlangathi, said the 28s operate a drug syndicate at night while the 26s run the syndicate during the day.
Mdlangathi said he believed it was a revenge attack after an incident last month in which a member of the 28s was allegedly killed by a 26s member.
“We are all living in fear here. We don’t know what is going to happen next.”
Police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, confirmed on Monday that a 23-year-old suspect had been arrested in connection with the attack and would appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Daily News