Four Killed in Separate Shootings Rock Eastern Cape Community

Residents of New Brighton in Gqeberha are reeling after two deadly shootings claimed four lives on Thursday evening.

In the space of a few hours, gunfire tore through a quiet neighbourhood in the Eastern Cape, leaving a trail of grief and unanswered questions. The police are now racing to track down the shooters, but for locals, the fear lingers.

Two attacks, one night

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the violence began just after 7 pm on Nikiwe Street. Two unidentified men entered a property and opened fire in the backyard.

Three people were hit: two men and a woman, all aged between 37 and 41. They were rushed to the hospital in a private vehicle but were declared dead on arrival. The cause: multiple gunshot wounds.

Shortly after that, less than two kilometres away, another shooting took place in Tshiwula Street. This time, a 52-year-old man was ambushed while sitting in his vehicle. Again, two unknown men approached and opened fire. He died at the scene.

A rattled community

The two attacks happened in close proximity, both in New Brighton, a historic township with deep cultural roots but increasingly troubled by violent crime. Locals say the brazen nature of the shootings, especially on the same night, has heightened fears and raised suspicions that the crimes may be connected.

“There’s a sense of lawlessness that’s growing,” one Gqeberha resident posted on Facebook. “We don’t know who’s next, and that’s the terrifying part.”

Police appeal for leads

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened two separate murder cases. They have not confirmed whether the two incidents are linked. No arrests have been made as yet.

“The SAPS assures the community that all necessary resources are being deployed to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice,” said Brigadier Gantana.

Anyone with information is urged to call SAPS Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111 or report it at any local police station.

Part of a bigger pattern?

While the Eastern Cape reels, similar scenes played out in Johannesburg just days earlier. On Tuesday morning, four suspected armed robbers were killed in a shootout with police in the western part of the city. Authorities say they intercepted the men before they could carry out a robbery.

Though these cases are not connected, the timing and violence reflect a troubling pattern across South Africa: communities caught in the crossfire of escalating gun violence.

What’s next?

For now, the families of the four victims in New Brighton are left mourning, while others in the neighbourhood remain on edge.

Police say updates will be shared as investigations develop. But for many in Gqeberha, justice can’t come soon enough.

Also read: Eastern Cape Taxi Conductor Gets 4 Life Terms for Brutal Rapes – Victims Speak Out

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Source: The Citizen

Featured Image: iStock