Police in Gqeberha have launched a manhunt for suspects who opened fire inside a house in Kwanobuhle killing six people.
Four other people were admitted to the hospital with gunshot wounds following an attack at a house on Mdledle Street on Tuesday night.
A case of six counts of murder and four counts of attempted murders has been opened for investigation.
According to Gqeberha police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, it is alleged that three unknown male suspects entered the yard and opened fire at people who were in the property or nearby to the house.
“Two females were shot at the gate. One female succumbed to her injuries while the other sustained gunshot wounds,” said Naidu.
“A further eight people were shot, leaving five men dead and three others injured. The total number of deceased persons is six [five men and one woman], and four [three men and one woman] were injured.”
The injured are receiving treatment in the hospital and the motive for the attack is not yet known.
Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene condemned the killing and has called on members of the community to assist police in tracing the perpetrators.
She also urged a team of investigators to track and trace the perpetrators in the quickest time possible.
“Such acts are cowardice and a blatant disregard for human life and the law,” Mene said.
“These criminals must not be allowed to roam our streets any longer, hence we are appealing to the community of Kwanobuhle to work with the police to bring justice to the deceased and the injured persons.”
In February, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane criticised the “vicious and senseless mass killings targeting the elderly and the youth in the province”.
He was remarking following the murder of 10 people by unidentified gunmen in two separate incidents in Thantseka and Qunu villages near Mthatha.
“It is heartbreaking to hear that elderly women, children and heads of households lose their lives in the most brutal way in our province,” Mabuyane said at the time.
In January, seven people were killed and another four wounded after two gunmen entered a house in KwaZakhele in Gqeberha and opened fire on guests. One of the wounded people later succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
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