family members grandmother and three children

Four people were shot dead in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga. Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay

Four killed in BRUTAL shooting while trying to rebury parents

SAPS detectives in the Eastern Cape are investigating the deaths of four people who were in the process of reburying family members.

family members grandmother and three children

Four people were shot dead in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga. Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay

South African Police Service (SAPS) detectives in the Eastern Cape are investigating four cases of murder and one of attempted murder.

Four people were killed on the morning of 17 September

The investigation follows a brutal shooting that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 17 September, at Qutubeni Administrative Area, Engcobo. According to SAPS’ Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, SAPS members received a complaint of a shooting incident.

Upon arrival, the SAPS members were shown the bodies of two males aged 39 and 77. They were in a garden near the graveyard. Brigadier Kinana said preliminary investigations revealed that family members were preparing to rebury the remains of their parents.

Two victims survived the brutal shooting

Four unidentified male suspects shot four of the family members. These were four out of six people who were exhuming the remains of their deceased family members in the garden. The four victims succumbed to their injuries.

“Two of the six survived, although one of them, aged 50, suffered serious injuries. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital for medical care,” said Kinana.

A 72-hour mobilisation plan was activated by SAPS EC Commissioner

No arrests in the matter have been made as the investigation continues. Kinana said the circumstances surrounding the killings will form part of the probe. Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has since ordered an immediate activation of the 72-hour mobilisation plan.

This was activated in order to trace, track and arrest the suspects. The SAPS has also urged anyone with information to contact the Engcobo Police Station or to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. 

10111 lines offline in Nelson Mandela Bay: Important numbers here

Meanwhile, it was reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed that the 10111 lines in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro are temporarily offline.

The SAPS has apologised for any inconvenience caused, noting that the issue is beyond their control. Spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says that technicians are currently working on the fault.

She explained that surges are impacting the technology. Naidu said that community/complaints could be channeled through to local police stations until the matter is resolved. Read the full story here.