A total of five people were shot and killed in two separate incidents in Durban on Tuesday.

In the first incident, two men were shot in Carters Avenue in Berea, reported Berea Mail.

“On arrival on scene, two men were found with multiple gunshot wounds. The first was declared dead on arrival of paramedics while the other was found in a critical condition. Advanced life-support resuscitation efforts were attempted, however, the man succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead on the scene,” Emer-G-Med Paramedics spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said.

He said the facts surrounding the incident and the events preceding it are unclear and will form the subject of a police investigation.

During a second incident, three people were killed in another shooting in Springfield Park, Northglen News reported.

According to Van Reenen, Netcare 911 and Emer-G-Med also treated a child who was critically injured in the incident.

“Paramedics arrived just after 14:30 to the scene on Peters Road in Springfield Park. On arrival on scene, a Volkswagen Amarok was found to have been sprayed with high-calibre bullet holes. Two occupants in the front of the vehicle, an adult male and female, were declared dead on arrival of paramedics.

“A child aged nine years old, who was seated in the back of the vehicle, was found in a critical condition. Advanced Life Support intervention was needed to stabilise her, and due to her extensive injuries, she went into a state of cardiac arrest. She later succumbed to her injuries in hospital,” he said.

This adds to a spate of shootings in the Durban area. Most notably, South African rapper, Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes was shot and killed on Florida Road in Morningside on February 10.

Furthermore, Berea Mail reported that a woman (24) was found dead at South Beach after she went missing on March 17. This according to the eThekwini Municipality which released a statement yesterday evening.

“eThekwini mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda has condemned the senseless killing of 24-year-old Luyanda Cele whose lifeless body was found mutilated and dumped at South Beach on the weekend,” read the statement.

According to the City, Cele, who hailed from uMlazi, was an intern at the municipality’s Occupational Health and Safety Unit – she had recently graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal before joining the municipality.

The City added that Cele’s body was found after she was reported missing three days ago. It is alleged that Cele left work at 16:00 last week Friday, March 17, to have some drinks.

eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has conveyed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Cele.

“Luyanda Cele was young and had a bright future ahead of her. She has been prevented from reaching her full potential as her life has been cut short. I extend my sincere condolences to those who knew and loved her. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.

Kaunda called on police to leave no stone unturned in finding Cele’s killer.

“As the leadership of eThekwini Municipality, I strongly condemn this senseless killing, and I urge police to ensure that the person who has committed such a heartless crime faces the full might of the law,” he concluded.

SAPS were not available for comment at the time this article was published.