PORT ELIZABETH - Police in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape are investigating three cases of murder following incidents that unfolded in Helenvale in the city’s northern areas.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said the murders are suspected to be gang-related.
Naidu said in the first incident on Thursday, at around 6.30pm, Ojay Marais, 21, was found lying on the pavement in Anita Drive in Helenvale. The deceased had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body.
Naidu said the suspects were unknown at this stage.
Later the same evening, at about 7pm, Jesican Charles, 28, was standing in front of a house in Voissen Street with a friend when a suspect approached them.
“It is alleged that Charles and his friend started running. Charles ran into the house and out the back door. As he attempted to jump over the wall, the suspect shot him on his chest and face. “
Naidu said he succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
The suspected gang affiliation of the deceased is the Hondekoppe gang and the suspect is from the NTB gang although no arrests have yet been made, police said.
Then on Friday morning, at about 06:30, Franklin Grootboom, 31, and a friend were walking to the shop in Renecke Street when they noticed a group of males suspected to be members of the Hondekoppe gang walking towards them.
“Grootboom and his friend started running. Grootboom ran into a yard in Renecke Street when one of the suspects shot him several times. He died on the scene.”
The suspects fled the scene.
No arrests have been made and police are appealing to community members to assist in tracing the suspects in all three murders.