Four family members have been shot and killed in Mfume, south of Durban, early on Monday morning.
The attack happened at the village of Ezinhlongeni. Another member of the family was injured in the attack.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said based on information received, at least five armed assailants entered the homestead and opened fire at people inside.
It is believed that they fired at a 64-year-old father, his 60-year-old wife, their 32-year-old son and a 19-year-old nephew.
“A neighbour, who is believed to be a girlfriend to one of the deceased, was shot in the legs and is receiving medical attention in hospital,” said Netshiunda.
One of the family’s sons who was sleeping in a separate house was unharmed.
Intra-family-related issues
Netshiunda said it is suspected that the killing was a result of intra-family-related issues, as the deceased wife was shot and wounded in 2022.
“This is a second incident at the same household in a space of a year. The motive of the shooting has not been established although intra-family-related feud could not be ruled out.
“In 2022, the mother of the house sustained gunshot wounds during a shooting, and the matter is still under investigation.”
Netshiunda said police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and are appealing to anyone who might have knowledge regarding the whereabouts of the suspects or information that can assist in the investigation to contact the Amanzimtoti police.
Several cases of mass murders have been taking place in KwaZulu-Natal since the start of the year.
In April, 10 family members were murdered in Pietermaritzburg and a special police unit was put together to investigate the shooting.
Police said that gunmen entered the home where family members had gathered in Imbali and proceeded to open fire.
That came after a mass shooting which left four people dead at a residential home in KwaMashu in the north of Durban.
