DURBAN - CONDOLENCES are pouring in for three people, including a Grade 12 pupil, who were killed in a shooting, in Durban’s South Beach area, at the weekend.
The incident took place at the corner of Pickering Street and Mazeppa Street on Saturday.
Private emergency service and security unit PT Alarms said their tactical units and ambulance service responded to the shooting.
PT Alarms spokesperson Trishen Govender said tactical officers and paramedics on arriving at the scene had found four occupants in a white Golf 7, who were shot.
Govender said the two men were declared deceased on the scene, while a 13-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.
“The male teen was treated by paramedics and transported to hospital for further care,” said Govender.
The fourth occupant, a female teenager, also sustained injuries and later died in hospital.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed the incident.
She said three murder cases and an attempted murder case were opened at Durban Central police station.
According to Mbele, it was alleged that the deceased, his brother, daughter and his son were in a car outside the scrapyard.
Mbele said the four were seated inside the vehicle when an unknown vehicle with three males approached, and started shooting at them.
She said the two men died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.
“A female was taken to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries from the gunshot wound on her chest.
“The other victim was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound on his right leg. The motive for the murders is currently unknown,” said Mbele.
A source told The Mercury that the deceased were Craig Thandroyen, his brother Brenden Thandroyen and matric pupil Bianca Thandroyen.
Northlands Girls’ High School confirmed that Bianca was a Grade 12 pupil at the school in a post on its Facebook page.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time. May she rest in peace,” the post said.
Dozens of condolences were posted in response to the school’s message.
A family friend said she was extremely shocked when she received the news about the incident.
The friend, who did not want to be named, said that the deceased brothers were both married and had been staying in South Beach.
The friend said she was going through many emotions: “I can tell you that both brothers had good hearts, they were amazing people.
“Craig had a kind heart, he would help you without any hesitation. Bianca didn’t deserve to lose her life at such a young age. They were good people,” said the friend.
THE MERCURY