Four people have been shot in separate incidents in the Bushbuckridge area between June 1 and 2.

According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the police received information about an Ethiopian national who had been shot on the R536 near Cork Trust in the Calcutta policing area on June 2.

“Upon their arrival, the officers found the victim seated behind the steering wheel of a blue VW Caravelle Combi. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest, and was declared dead on the scene by emergency medical services [EMS],” she said.

Ndubane added that it is alleged that the victim was en route to visit a friend in Somerset Trust when he was ambushed by some suspects driving in a white Toyota bakkie. “The suspects reportedly opened fire while the vehicle was in motion. Some spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. The victim’s vehicle had been riddled by the hail of bullets,” Ndubane said.

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In another incident on June 1, the police responded to a shooting at a tavern in Oakley near Mkhuhlu under the Calcutta policing area at about 00:30. They found a silver-grey VW Polo TSI parked at the entrance of the tavern with bullet holes and the windows shattered.

“The driver had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was declared dead by EMS on the scene,” Ndubane said.

She also said there was a woman inside the car, but she only sustained some injuries. This victim was taken to hospital for further treatment.

Some spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. The motive for the shooting is currently unknown, and no arrests have been made yet.

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Earlier that same evening, the SAPS responded to another shooting incident at a tavern in Marite Trust.

The officers discovered the body of a man with two gunshot wounds. EMS declared him dead on the scene. No arrests have been made thus far, and investigations continue.

The SAPS urge anyone with information that may assist in these investigations to contact Lieutenant Colonel Skhumbuzo Ceko on 082 992 9902. They may also report anonymously on the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS app.