Four people were killed while eight others were wounded during a mass shooting incident at a tavern in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal. The incident happened on Saturday night around 20:30 while people were sitting and drinking inside the tavern.
Lieutenant-Colonel Nxobile Gwala, the police spokesperson said the shooting took place at Samkelisiwe Tavern.
“It is alleged that at 8.30pm on Saturday night, a group of people were having drinks at a tavern at Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg when a vehicle arrived and parked outside the tavern,” Gwala said.
According to the police a group of men armed with rifles and 9mm pistols allegedly got out of the vehicle and entered the tavern and fired random shots at the patrons. A total of 12 people were shot in the incident.
“Two people were declared dead at the scene and another two died in hospital. Another eight people are still in hospital after they sustained injuries. The deceased are aged between 30 and 45,” Gwala said.
Gwala said the suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting. “Charges of murder and attempted murder were opened for investigation at Plessislaer SAPS.
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner deployed maximum resources to track down the alleged shooters. Mkhwanazi condemned the mass shooting incident and deployed members of Crime Intelligence, forensic experts and a tactical unit team to form part of an investigation team led by the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
“The team will be working around the clock to track down and bring to book those responsible for this shooting,” Mkhwanazi said.
The police have called on anyone with information that could help lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward. People with information can call the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
Source: IOL, Eyewitness News, The South African, Sowetan Live, image from Twitter