A second contingent of police officers, including detectives, Crime Intelligence members and specialised units, deployed to the Calcutta policing precinct on Thursday, July 16.

This follows a similar deployment of officers to the area on Sunday, shortly after four people were shot dead in Mkhuhlu at about 20:40.

Police welcome national intervention

Meanwhile, after Premier Mandla Ndlovu’s announcement that he interacted with the acting national police commissioner and reached an agreement for the National Intervention Unit to be sent to the area, the provincial police management said it was ready.

The management said it did not regard the national intervention as undermining the provincial police leadership.

“SAPS is a national competence and police officers can be deployed anywhere if there is a need. We also have members at the national head office who are always ready to be deployed to the provinces as backup when a need arises. That cannot be seen as undermining the provincial management,” said the acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi.

Ndlovu sets deadline for acting commissioner

Regarding the four-day deadline Ndlovu gave Mkhwanazi on Monday concerning investigation progress into the murders, Mkhwanazi confirmed he would comply.

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During a visit to Calcutta Police Station, Ndlovu said he had given Mkhwanazi four days to report back on the investigation’s progress by Friday, July 17.

Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi. > Photo: Supplied/SAPS

“We are aware of the deadline that was given to us by the premier. We will be updating him on the status and progress of the investigation as expected,” said Mkhwanazi.

Calcutta gun murders reach 37 since January 1

Although Ndlovu announced that the gun murders in the Calcutta policing area had reached 37 since the beginning of the year, police declined to confirm this directly.

“We are not disputing that number, but we are analysing all the dockets and cases that were reported during that period where firearms were utilised. Our analysis includes murder and attempted murder cases,” said Mkhwanazi.

“We are still urging community members who have information that can help in the investigation to come forward. They can contact the nearest police station, or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, and information may also be provided anonymously via the MySAPS app,” he added.

Latest gun murder victims include young woman

The victims of the latest gun murders in Mkhuhlu were identified as Alice Mahlangu (19), Zuzumuzi Sedibe (28), Midwel Maluka (31) and Xolani Mona (32).