Three family members were shot execution style in their home in the village of Ezingqolweni outside Cacadu (formerly Lady Frere).
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, said on July 12 at about 20:00 a 42-year old woman and her two daughters, aged 16 and 12, were killed while preparing for a traditional circumcision ceremony.
Kinana said the mother-in-law of the 42-year-old woman was sleeping in another house in the same yard when she heard gunshots and escaped to neighbours.
“The next day, July 13 at about 07:00 three bodies were found by neighbours lying in a pool of blood. On observation, the victims sustained bullet wounds in their upper bodies,” he said.
Kinana said the motive for the killings was not yet known. Three cases of murder have been opened and no arrests have been made.
“The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has ordered the activation of the 72-hour mobilisation plan in order to track, trace and arrest the killers of the three people,” he said.
A total of 22 elderly people have been killed in Ezingqolweni. Eleven of them were killed between December 2020 an July 2021.
In what was seen as revenge killings, as previously reported by Komani-Karoo Express, six young men aged between 21 and 27 were murdered.
Police went on to offer a R100 000 reward for the apprehension and successful prosecution of the perpetrators.
Kinana said anyone with information can contact Cacadu police or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
