In seconds, the 4 occupants of the VW Polo were dead… The close grouping of shots and the staggering number of bullets fired at the car meant they had no chance of surviving a clearly planned and deadly ambush…

Police are hunting for suspects and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward after the shooting on Friday evening in Ezakheni C-section near Makhuzeni Store.

4 males aged between 31 and 33 were found dead in their silver-grey VW Polo with multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies. Among the dead was a police officer attached to the Ladysmith Tactical Response Team (TRT).

The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage.

The deceased have been identified as Constable Mboniseni Zungu (33), Thanda (31) and Nkosiyakhe Mabaso (33). The 4th deceased has not been formally identified at this stage.

Story updated.