Investigations are underway to determine the events that led to a deadly mass shooting in Lenasia, Gauteng, in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Lenasia mass shooting: Here are the latest updates
At yet another deadly weekend in South Africa, six people were targeted by unknown gunmen in the township situated south of Soweto.
According to provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, a group of friends who were enjoying warm conversations around a bonfire was ambushed by an unidentified number of suspects.
Two victims died instantly, while another two sustained life-threatening injuries and were rushed to a nearby medical facility for life-saving treatment.
Mawela noted that two more dead bodies were tracked down to two locations not far from the bonfire and, thus, early speculation suggests they too may have been part of this group.
“As [the] investigation continues, we’ll be in the position to establish the link between the three bodies here, and that body there. I can currently confirm that we have four deceased, two injured,” Mawla said.
Investigators combed the crime scene, collecting shell casings and interviewing eyewitnesses to gather information about the mass shooting.
“As to exactly why the people seated around the fire were just attacked like that, we will be in a position to update the citizens,” the provincial top-cop noted.
Is the Lenasia incident linked to Alexandra killings?
The Lenasia mass shooting has not, as yet, been linked to the deadly Orlando East gun attack that claimed the lives of 15 innocent partygoers.
Also, the four murders in Lenasia occurred three days after six victims were killed in a series of attacks in Alexandra, Gauteng, on Thursday night.
As reported by Sowetan Live, seven suspects have since been arrested for the murder spree.
One of the victims, Alex FM music manager Joshua Mbatha, was gunned down after robbers accosted him and a mate of their cellphones and shoes.
““The people that were arrested were found with cellphones. Police will still search whether the cellphones belong to any of the victims that were robbed yesterday…” Police Minister Bheki Cele informed citizens on Friday, 15 July 2022.