KARIEGA – Police in the Eastern Cape are investigating two separate shooting incidents at Hillwatch Informal Settlement, Kabah in Kariega.

A shooting today, 27 July, claimed the lives of four people and has led to cases of murder and attempted murder. A separate incident on 18 July has resulted in two counts of attempted murder and the murder of a minor.

According to the SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, it is alleged that at approximately 12:00, a suspect opened fire on a group of individuals.

“Upon arrival at the scene, SAPS members found four victims who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds,” she said. “The deceased have been identified as three women, aged between 18 and 31, and one man aged 27.”

Gantana added that a fifth male victim, who was also wounded, was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

“At this stage, the motive for the attack remains unknown, and no arrests have been made,” she said. “Preliminary investigations suggest that only one suspect was involved in the incident.”

She added that, as this is an active crime scene, further details will be shared in due course. “The names of the deceased will be released once their next of kin have been informed,” she said.

In a separate incident, SAPS Kamesh detectives confirmed another case of murder and two counts of attempted murder in the same area.

SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said, “It is alleged that on Saturday, 18 July, at approximately 19:00, the victims were inside a shack in Hillwatch Road, Kabah, when two to three unknown armed suspects kicked open the door and opened fire.”

Janse van Rensburg added that the suspects fled the scene but allegedly returned shortly afterwards and fired additional shots into the shack before fleeing on foot.

A 10-year-old girl identified by SAPS as Temeeka Istain sustained a fatal gunshot wound to her chest and was declared deceased at the scene.

“A 20-year-old man sustained gunshot wounds to both hips, while a 21-year-old woman sustained a gunshot wound to her left calf,” she said. “Both injured victims were transported to hospital for medical treatment.”

Janse van Rensburg added that the motive for the attack is unknown and is the subject of ongoing investigation, and that no arrests have been made yet.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist the investigation to contact SAPS Kamesh on 071 475 2294, the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or submit information anonymously via the MySAPS App.

“All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality,” said Janse van Rensburg.

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