Police spokeswoman Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said a gunman accosted three people on October 30, who were walking about 45m apart along Dexter Road in Amandawe near Scottburgh.
He reportedly shot his first victim in the leg and the second in the mouth and shoulder before robbing them of their cellphones and money. A third victim handed his wallet and cellphone over to the gunman before fleeing for his life.
“The victims, aged 31 and 44, were rushed to hospital in a serious condition by private transport. The Scottburgh SAPS has registered two counts of attempted murder and three counts of armed robbery for investigation,” said Mbhele.
Then on Friday, November 3, shortly before 8pm, a 34-year-old woman was returning home from work when she was shot in the chest and killed close to her home near Zama Store in Amandawe. Mbhele said her brother heard her scream and ran out to see her lying in a pool of blood. He rushed her to the G J Crookes Hospital but she was declared dead on arrival.
“The victim, Makhosazane Mary Jane Mokoena, was robbed of her handbag containing her personal belongings including her cellphone.”
Mbhele said barely 15 minutes later, residents in Ndosi Road - less than a kilometre away from where Mokoena was killed - heard a gunshot. Siyabonga Ngcobo, 23, was found lying in the road with a gunshot wound in his neck behind his ear.
“He was pronounced dead at the scene. There was nothing to indicate that he had been robbed,” said Mbhele in a statement.
Soon after, a 23-year-old man was waiting with his 17-year-old sister for their transport at the No. 4 bus shelter when a man wielding a gun robbed the brother of his cellphone at gunpoint. The gunman assaulted the brother and demanded money, at which point the sister, fearing for her life, fled leaving behind her handbag. The brother followed her shortly after.
“The suspect made off with their cellphones, a wallet, money and toiletries. Two counts of armed robbery were registered by the Scottburgh SAPS for investigation.”
In all the incidents, said Mbhele, the suspect was described as a slightly built man in his late 20s, dressed in a pair of blue denim pants and a hooded jacket with a fur lining around the face. The crime scenes are all close together. The firearm used is a 9mm pistol.
Mbhele said no arrests had been made. Anyone with info is asked to contact Scottburgh SAPS Detectives on 039 978 1900, their local police on 10111 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Members of the Amandawe community were advised to be extra vigilant, especially at night, and report any suspicious persons seen in their neighbourhood, to the Scottburgh SAPS.