Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene has immediately ordered police to hunt down the suspect responsible for the fatal shooting of two people and injury to at least another three people at a tavern in Maqhinebeni A/A Mthatha on August 5.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, it is alleged that late on Saturday evening, August 5, at about 23:55, an unknown gunman entered the tavern and started shooting at patrons.
“At this stage police managed to trace five victims that were shot. One person died on the scene while another died in hospital,” said Naidu.
“The three injured, two men and a woman, were transported by private transport to hospital.”
Naidu said that the deceased, a 40-year-old man and a woman approximately 30-years-old are yet to be identified.
She said that police are investigating cases of two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Mene is seeking the community’s assistance in tracing the suspect as soon as possible.
“The community plays a pivotal role in assisting police on the whereabouts of criminals. These criminals are living among the communities, and we need them to be our ‘eyes and ears’ in order to arrest perpetrators and to bring them to justice. Innocent people are being targeted and we cannot allow a cold-hearted criminal to roam our streets and cause more harm to law abiding citizens. Therefore, he must be arrested in the shortest time possible,” said Mene.
Anyone who can assist in tracing the suspect is asked to contact SAPS Mthatha, D/Col Wele Victor Nani on 079 509 0756 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station.
All information is confidential and callers may remain anonymous. Police are also appealing to other people who may have been in the tavern and were also shot, to contact D/Col Nani.
