By Augustine Ehikioya
South African Police Service (SAPS) officials are hunting for murder suspects, who killed three persons in Kwazakele, Eastern Cape Province.
A statement by Colonel Priscilla Naidu of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner, Eastern Cape, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said the Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso has ordered for their immediate arrest.
It reads “The Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso has immediately ordered that the 72-hour activation plan be implemented for the arrests of the suspects involved in an apparent hit murder of three people in Kwazakele yesterday afternoon, 30 October, 2021.
“It is alleged that on the mentioned date, at about 16:30, all three victims aged between 25 and 30 returned with a group of people to a funeral house after a burial in Dyantyi Street in Kwazakele. An altercation broke out between the first victim and a person from the group.
“As the victim started running, he was chased by the group and several shots were fired in his direction. Masixole Qwazi (+-26 years of age) fell to the ground, a few houses away and died.
It is further alleged that the suspects went back to the house and got into a red hijacked Aveo and went in search of the other two victims.
“The second victim, Sabata Bukani (+-25 yeas of age) was fatally wounded in Maronga Street. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
“The third victim, Thandoxolo Williams (+- 30 years of age) was gunned down in Daku Road. He also sustained multiple gunshot wounds. All three crime scenes are in close proximity,” it said.
The red Aveo, the statement said, was later found abandoned in Johnson Road in Soweto-On-Sea.
It also said that the motive for the fatal killings is suspected to be gang related.
While Police has implemented the 72-hour activation plan, the statement said, it is also appealing to anyone who may have any information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the Police.
“Information may be communicated via the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS App which can be downloaded to any smart phone or SAPS Kwazakele on 041 4087744.
“All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous,” it said.
The statement also said that the Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Kupiso has strongly condemned such callous acts and has appealed to the communities to assist the Police in tracing the heartless criminals.
“This act of criminality and lawlessness are being taken seriously and it will not be tolerated,” added Brig Kupiso.