By Anita Dangazele
- Four men were shot dead on Tuesday in Goniwe Street, Walmer, after gunmen stormed a home, demanded cellphones and opened fire.
- Four more people were killed in separate shootings on Saturday and Sunday in Mankazana Street and Ndlovu Street in Walmer.
Police have launched a manhunt after eight people were killed in two separate shootings in the Walmer area of Gqeberha.
The latest attack happened on Tuesday, 16 December. A group of gunmen stormed a home in Goniwe Street around 5.30pm, demanded cellphones and opened fire.
Two men aged 24 and 29 were shot multiple times and died on the scene. Two more men, both aged 22, were found shot dead in separate spots nearby in G-West, also on Goniwe Street.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said three cellphones were taken during the attack.
She said when police arrived at the crime scenes, the suspects were still there. They fired at police and police returned fire.
The suspects fled and police chased them but they escaped. No one was injured during the shootout.
A case of attack at the police was opened and transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Unit.
In a separate case, police are investigating four other murders in the same area.
On Saturday, 14 December, a 39-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds in Mankazana Street, Walmer township.
In the early hours of Sunday, 15 December, three more victims were discovered in Ndlovu Street, Airport Valley, also in the Walmer area. A 37-year-old man and two women aged 28 and 17 had all been shot in the upper body.
Police are still investigating the motive. No arrests have been made in either case.
Anyone with information can contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Sithole on 082 457 2812 or Detective Sergeant Nigel Wright on 082 921 2312. Information can also be shared anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso said police would not rest until the suspects were caught. She urged the community to come forward with information.
Pictured above: A police vehicle.
Image source: File
