Police in Piet Retief are investigating a series of killings that took place over the weekend after nine people lost their lives in several attacks, believed to be related, in the area.

Seven suspects have been charged with murder after they allegedly disarmed a man who tried to shoot them and later handed over the gun at the police station.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala says when police asked about the whereabouts of the man, they were told that he was left behind on the scene after he ‘tripped and fell’.

Police visited the scene and found the man deceased.

‘Revenge attacks’ claim several lives

The incident follows shortly after eight people were killed in attacks in different locations in Piet Retief.

On Friday, a man (26) who was robbed of his cellphone allegedly gathered a group of friends to go looking for the suspects.

They confronted a group of people who turned out to be innocent.

Mohlala says the group became aggressive and assaulted the man who accused them of stealing his phone.

He was rushed to hospital and later discharged but died the following day after his condition worsened and he had to be readmitted to hospital.

After learning about his death, a group mobilised and attacked four people in Osloop in what police believe was a revenge attack. Two victims died on the scene and another two died in hospital later.

More victims were attacked in Mangosuthu and Phosa and three more people lost their lives.

Mohlala says they are working hard to arrest those responsible for the killings. He says police are investigating whether any of the seven suspects they have in custody might be connected to the other killings.

The seven suspects behind bars will appear in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.