A massive police hunt is under way after seven people were shot dead in KwaMashu, 12km north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
The deceased were cornered by unknown gunmen who opened fire at them under the bridge. It is suspected that the murders could have been a vigilante hit.
It has been reported that the deceased, who are believed to be in their 30s, were living under the bridge. They were suspected to have been involved in crime in the area.
Gunshot wounds to the heads
According to reports, the deceased were found on the crime scene with gunshot wounds to their heads.
Police have opened a murder docket for investigation.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said: “The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated. The docket has been transferred to the provincial organised crime for investigation.”
Naicker said police officers found 18 9mm spent cartridges at the scene. “It’s possible that the incident is linked to vigilantism.”
It is not the first time this year that the province has been rocked by mass murders.
Imbali massacre
In April, a family of 10 was massacred in the early hours of the morning in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg.
Eight women and two men lost their lives when a group of armed men stormed their home and sprayed them with bullets.
It was reported at the time that the attack took place at about 4am.
During his visit to the province in June, Police Minister Bheki Cele said there was a demon roaming around KwaZulu-Natal.
He was referring to a mass shooting that had taken place in the notorious Glebelands hostel, where nine people were shot.
The shooting claimed seven lives and two other people were admitted to the hospital.
In a wide-ranging address on the outcomes of the ANC national executive committee meeting last week, Cele spoke at length about crime, its effects on communities, and the investigations that are being conducted.
One of the high-profile investigations is that of the killing of Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, affectionately known by his stage name AKA.
In his update, Cele said the vehicles used on the night of AKA’s murder, as well as the murder weapon, have been identified.
AKA was fatally shot on February 10 outside the famous Wish on Florida restaurant in Durban.
