Cape Town - Police in the Eastern Cape have appealed for assistance after 10 people were killed in separate mass shootings in the OR Tambo District.
In the first incident, it is reported that unknown suspects entered a homestead in Thantseka and shot dead a 62-year-old elderly woman and her 13-year-old grandson.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said: “It is alleged that they then proceeded to the second house and shot and killed a 44-year-old woman. The deceased was the daughter of the elderly woman. The motive for the senseless attack is unknown at this stage.”
In another incident, it is alleged that unknown gunmen entered a rondavel in Qunu and opened fire on seven people four men and three women, between the ages 32 and 46 years old on Wednesday evening.
“All seven were fatally wounded. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. As the investigation is at an early stage, it has not yet been established whether the two incidents are linked,” he said.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has condemned the incidents.
“The high rate of these incidents is indicative of a decay in moral fiber. All sectors of society should work together to fight crime and restore peace as well promote safety and security in our communities,” he said.
Police are on the hunt for suspects in both incidents.
King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality Mayor, Nyaniso Nelani, said: “We are very concerned about the crime levels in our area.
It was promised by the National Minister in November last year that there will be interventions. The crime is escalating now and it means the the economy will be affected because no one will want to come and investigate the matter in an area where crime is happening.
We are also asking the communities to stand up and organise themselves in terms of fighting crime so that we change the situation.”
Meanwhile, Mfuleni police as well as crime scene experts are still scouring a crime scene in Driftsands where four people were shot and killed in Covid-19 informal settlement on Wednesday evening.
Police said yesterday: “Reports from the area indicate that a vehicle had entered the Covid-19 informal settlement at about 11pm last night. Shortly thereafter gunshots were heard and the vehicle left the area.
On Thursday morning, residents of the informal settlement discovered two bodies, a man and a woman, with gunshot wounds in a shack and alerted the police.
A few metres from the one dwelling, inside another shack two more bodies of a man and a woman were also found with gunshot wounds.
The identities of the victims are yet to be determined with provincial serious violent crime detectives hard at work probing the murders as well as the motive.”
Police have urged anyone with information relating to the incident to anonymously contact Crime Stop anonymously on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS app.
Anyone with information on the Eastern Cape shootings can contact Station Commander of SAPS Bityi, Lieutenant-Colonel Lindile Maqungwana on 079 696 0708.
Cape Times