By Everson Luhanga and Zukile Majova
At least 10 members of the same family were killed in one incident in Mbali Township outside Pietermaritzburg.
Police say a total of 19 people were killed in separate incidents in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday
On Friday, Police Minister General Bheki Cele visited the crime scene which falls under Plessislaer Police Station.
The police station is notorious for recording some of the highest incidents of crime with over 20 killings in this precinct killed every month, according to SAPS crime stats.
Violent house-breaking incidents have also increased in the area with at least 120 incidents reported in a single quarter.
The community of Mbali Township is now demanding another police station with increased police visibility and regular patrols in the township.
The community is still reeling after gunfire was heard on Thursday night and on Friday morning. They woke up to the news that heavily armed gunmen ambushed a family and killed eight women and two children.
The Memela family buried the father and head of the family last year.
Police spokesperson Jay Naicker said the motive behind this barbaric act of criminality is still unknown.
Minister Cele will be joined by top management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) led by National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola
According to initial police reports, two unknown gunmen stormed a Pietermaritzburg homestead and ambushed the family, seven women and three men were fatally wounded during the shooting.
Meanwhile, in the Durban area, police responded to more incidents of gun violence including a scene where four people were killed in KwaMashu, another incident related to ongoing taxi wars in the area while a Grade 8 learner was shot dead in the street after school at Ntshawini area towards Stanger.
Thursday began with the killing of the chairperson of a taxi association from Seaview who was attacked on the M7 highway in Durban.
A crime scene in Mbali Township is KwaZulu-Natal where 10 people were shot and killed
Pictured above: Police cars
Image credit: Lirandzu Themba / SAPS
