Two men were shot dead in separate incidents in Marite and Alexandria near Mkhuhlu last night, Monday, June 15.

These incidents bring the total number of gun murders in the area since Friday, June 12, to three, increasing the total number of gun murders in the Calcutta Policing Precinct since May 16 to 11.

In one of the latest incidents a man, aged 38, was with a friend near the gate of his residence in Marite when they were confronted by an armed suspect on Monday at approximately 18:15.

Read: Another gun murder in the Calcutta policing precinct

“The suspect fired a shot at the victim who collapsed on the spot. The friend managed to escape unharmed,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.

He said the police received a report about the shooting and rushed to the scene to investigate.

Paramedics were also called to the scene where they certified the man dead.

The second fatal shooting occurred in the nearby Alexandria Trust about 45 minutes later.

“The second shooting happened at 19:00. Our members arrived at the crime scene in Alexandria Trust and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds inside a white Suzuki Ertiga,” said Masondo.

He said the 25-year-old victim was also certified dead on the scene.

“The shooting motives in both instances remain unknown,” said Masondo.

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man was gunned down in Bushbuckridge next to Pedro’s Restaurant on Friday, June 15, at about 18:00.
“When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim lying on the ground with five gunshot wounds and bleeding,” said Masondo.

He said the man was identified by members of his family as Habitamo Etamo.

No arrests were made in any of the three incidents, and the police are asking for the community to assist with information.

“We are appealing to anyone with information that can assist with investigations to please call the nearest police station or crime stop number 08600 10111 or send information via My SAPS App,” said Masondo.