One person was shot and killed and three others were wounded in Emjindini, Barberton, Mpumalanga, while they were on their way from a tavern.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said police received a complaint at about 3.50am and were asked to attend a local hospital.
“Upon arrival, a medical practitioner pointed out a deceased man and three other victims who had sustained gunshot wounds.”
Masondo said a preliminary investigation suggested that the four victims were shot while they were on their way from a tavern in Emjindini.
“One victim succumbed to his injuries while the other three are currently receiving medical treatment.”
Barberton police have opened a case of murder and three counts of attempted murder, while a manhunt for the suspect or suspects has been launched, Masondo said.
“The motive for the shooting is yet to be determined and the probe is continuing.”
Police appeal for information
Police urged anyone with information that could assist in apprehending the suspect or suspects to contact the nearest police station, call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or submit information via the MySAPS app.
All information received would be treated as confidential and callers could choose to remain anonymous.
Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Apaphia Modise vowed that police would work around the clock to ensure the suspect or suspects were arrested.
“We will continue to vigorously deal with proliferation of firearms which are often used in violent crimes like in this case where it claimed a life whilst others sustained some injuries.”
“We therefore plead with members of the public to alert the authorities when they have information about those in possession of a firearm unlawfully, so that we can act before another life of an innocent person is taken.
“We will not allow criminals to terrorise our communities hence we will act without any hesitation,” she added.
Wedela tavern shooting death toll rises to 18
Meanwhile, in Gauteng, 18 people have died following a shooting at a tavern in Wedela, in the West Rand District.
The death toll rose to 18 after one more victim died in hospital.
Only four of the deceased have been identified so far – two South Africans and two Lesotho nationals.
The shooting took place on Friday evening, police said.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni had established a dedicated multidisciplinary team to investigate the shooting.
“The team comprises seasoned murder and robbery detectives, Crime Intelligence and Crime Scene Investigation members, and is led by a senior brigadier responsible for Crime Investigation Services in the province,” Muridili said on Monday.
She said the charges had been updated to 18 counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, two counts of malicious damage to property and armed robbery.
Muridili said all the injured victims who remain in hospital have been identified.
“According to information provided to the police, five were shot in the upper body and are critically wounded, while the others are in a stable condition,” she said.
Police intensify manhunt
Operation Prosper, which includes the South African National Defence Force and specialised SAPS units such as the Tactical Response Team and Public Order Policing, has also been brought in to update its operational matrix and intensify operations in Wedela and surrounding areas.
Muridili said no arrests had been made.
Police launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men following the deadly shooting at a tavern in Extension 3, Wedela, at about 9.30pm on Friday.
Muridili said patrons were drinking inside and outside the tavern when the gunmen arrived and opened fire on those outside.
“The suspects then entered the tavern and continued shooting at patrons inside,” she said.
The men were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols.
They allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified vehicles.
Two vehicles were also set alight during the incident, police said.
Initially, 17 people – 13 men and four women – were killed. Emergency medical services declared all 17 victims dead at the scene.
Another 15 people sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.
The motive for the shooting remains unknown.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL News
