At least 10 people were murdered in separate incidents on the South Coast, of these victims, seven died on Sunday, August 17.
Four men travelling in a metered taxi on the R61 near Southbroom were fired upon by unknown men on Sunday at 21:30.
Soccer players, Khayelihle Brian Msomi, Mongezi Jwara and Mlamuli Ngeleka of Whoza United, all aged 25, sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
The driver managed to get to Margate Saps where he was assisted by paramedics and taken to hospital. Police said the motive for the attack is unknown.
A 49-year-old man sustained fatal gunshot wounds near his home at Sdakwe Ward at Madlala near Southport on Sunday. Police said at least three unknown men in a grey car fled the scene after the shooting.
Two unknown men approached a 29-year-old man at his residence on Victory Road, Port Shepstone on Sunday, where an argument ensued. One of the suspects fatally shot the victim, and they fled in a white vehicle. A case of murder has been opened for investigation at Port Shepstone Saps.
A case of murder and an inquest has been opened for investigation at Margate Saps, after a 38-year-old man shot dead his 35-year-old girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself at a residence in Matsheketsheni in Gcilima on Sunday.
A 43-year-old woman was arrested by Gamalakhe Saps after she stabbed a relative after an argument in Qinabout last Saturday. The suspect appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder and the matter has been postponed to a later date for further investigation. She remains in police custody.
A 50-year-old man was shot dead at his residence in Mkholombe last Friday. It was reported that two men approached him on the pretence of buying food. The men entered the house, shot him multiple times and fled. A case of murder has been opened for investigation at Port Shepstone Saps.
A body of a woman, aged between 18 and 20, was found in a sugarcane plantation in Nqabeni last Sunday, August 10. Her body had been burned and police found remnants of a pink and white jacket, and no further identification. Police request anyone who may know of a young woman who has not returned home to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Jeffrey Cele at Ezinqoleni Detective Service on 078 1016939.
CPF deputy chairperson for Ugu District, Selvan Chetty, said violent crimes are a cause for concern. “We are particularly concerned about violence against women. The police and CPF structures in Ugu have a number of initiatives to create awareness on this plight. Each of our 16 stations within the district has dedicated social crime prevention officers to support and facilitate crime prevention strategies at ward levels.”
He added that together with the police and CPFs they are working hard to bring perpetrators to book.
“Unfortunately at times, it appears that there is little cohesion between the arresting officers, the investigation teams and the National Prosecuting Authority. We have had complaints from the public and from officials in the criminal justice system about known perpetrators with compelling evidence against them getting off scot-free,” said Chetty.
Ugu District Commissioner, Major General Sethenya Nxamagele and her management have noted the alarming number of murders. “We are committed to prioritising these cases in order to make arrests as soon as possible.”
She appealed to the public to provide any information that will lead to the arrests of these heartless criminals who have robbed families of their loved ones. All information will be treated as strictly confidential.
She also appeals to communities to report any illegal firearms on the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
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