BY PHUMLANI SAUL
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene has welcomed and applauded the multi-disciplinary team that swiftly traced and arrested five men suspected to be connected to the murders of nine people and the injury to another in three separate shooting incidents in Kwanobuhle and Kariega on Thursday, 13 October.
In the first incident, it is alleged that at about 11:45 on Thursday, police attended to a shooting in Mabi Street where the bodies of four men were found inside a Mazda 323.
Colonel Priscilla Naidu, police spokesperson, said all the men sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their upper bodies.
“A fifth male (also with multiple gunshot wounds) was lying behind the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. A sixth victim, who had already succumbed to his wounds, was found lying a few metres away from the car,” Naidu said.
The victims are between 18 and 25 years old.
“In the second incident, at about 12:10, the bodies of three males were found in Zolanqini Street. Two were found inside a silver VW Polo while the third deceased was found lying outside the vehicle.”
They all had multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies.
“The victims are estimated to be between 32 and 40 years old. The vehicle was reported stolen in Humansdorp in May 2022.” As soon as the murders were reported, Mene instructed the implementation of the 72-hour activation plan.
“Within this time frame, at about 08:00 on Friday, 14 October four men who were persons of interest were detained for questioning. The men, aged between 26 to 30-years old, were found at a possible hideout in Summerstrand.
“It was further established that on the same day of the murders, another body of a man aged between 18 to 25-years old was found lying on the side of the road in Rooihoogte near Kwanobuhle.”
During the investigation, the investigating team established that a white Toyota Quantum was suspected to have been involved in the murders.
“Police worked tirelessly and around the clock to trace this vehicle and on 14 October at about 18:10, the vehicle was spotted driving from Langa location in Kariega towards town. The vehicle was stopped in Van Riebeeck Hoogte and a 34-year-old man was apprehended. The Quantum was confiscated.”
Naidu confirmed that the three murder scenes are linked.
All five suspects are charged on nine cases of murder and one of attempted murder. They will appear in the Kwanobuhle Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 October.
Mene commended the team for their outstanding and brilliant investigation.
“The effect of the 72-hour activation plan was felt as the joint multidisciplinary SAPS team worked around the clock to ensure the speedy apprehension of the alleged suspects. It is, however, extremely disturbing that lives could be lost in such a cruel and violent manner. We will be collaborating closely with the NPA to make sure that bail is denied as well as to ensure a successful prosecution,” added Mene.
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