Acting national police commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Puleng Dimpane has directed KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to immediately activate a 72-hour tracking operation to hunt down three men responsible for the fatal shooting of 11 people at KwaMakhutha, south of Durban.
The men opened fire on a group of people in the Ziko area of KwaMakhutha on Tuesday night, killing the 11, who included a pregnant woman, while three were injured.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said preliminary information indicated that 13 men and one woman, who was believed to be pregnant, were attending a party at the house when three men arrived and opened fire.
Ten victims, including the woman, died at the scene, while four were taken to hospital. One of those died later, bringing the death toll to 11.
Cops investigate possible motive
Netshiunda said preliminary investigations had revealed that some of the victims were on the Crime Intelligence radar in connection with illegal activities.
He said police could not disclose further details at this stage because doing so could compromise ongoing investigations.
The motive for the shooting has not yet been established.
However, police said a feud between rival groupings could not be ruled out.
Police at the scene where eleven people, including a pregnant woman, have been killed and three injured after three gunmen opened fire at a house in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban.
Police confident of breakthrough
Dimpane expressed concern over the loss of life and conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims. She also wished those injured a speedy recovery.
“There is no place in our communities for the senseless taking of human lives. Police must act decisively, mobilise all available resources and pursue those responsible until they are brought before the courts,” she said, adding that investigators were following a promising lead that could assist in securing a breakthrough in the case.
Police appeal for information
Police have appealed to locals to provide reliable and credible information that could assist investigators in identifying, tracing and apprehending the gunmen.
Information can be provided directly to the investigating team or anonymously through Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted through the MySAPS app.
“SAPS will not relent in its efforts to ensure that those responsible for this attack are brought to justice,” police said.
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