Police in KwaDukuza on the North Coast are investigating a possible link to gang-related executions to explain a series of killings in the region over the past few months.

The areas mostly affected are Ntshawini, Groutville and Melville.

Apart from so-called ‘ordinary murder cases’, police believe at least one or two killings per month can be attributed to gang assassinations.

Spokesperson for the KwaDukuza police, Constable Siphesihle Myeni, says although exact figures are not available, they have identified a consistent pattern of what appears to be planned murder cases.

He says it suggests the involvement of either an individual or a group as similar modus operandi are in play.

Another aspect under investigation is the potential connection between the victims, which could help the police identify motives behind the killings.

Killings

In one instance, a man was shot in Ntshawini in June, and shortly thereafter his friend was also shot and killed at his residence in Melville.

Another recent case involved the killing of a 34-year-old man in Groutville early in August. In all shootings the assailant reportedly engaged the victims in conversation first before suddenly opening fire.

KwaDukuza remains prominently listed among the top 30 police stations nationally for its high number of violent crimes.

In the most recent release of crime statistics for the period spanning April to June, 33 murder and 35 attempted murder cases were reported.

In addition, 164 incidents of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 178 common assault cases and 658 contact crimes against individuals were also recorded.

Alarmingly, KwaDukuza ranks fourth in the country for reported rape cases and fifth for sexual assault incidents.