“As a parent you cannot be silent as children die at your premises. That is why we are sending our condolences to the families and saying it was not our making that their children killed each other.”
Mpumalanga police commissioner Mag-Gen Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi visited the scene on Sunday and said the incident involved different gangs, which was making it complicated to investigate.
“As the police we are deep on the ground. What we know is that we are dealing with the work of different gangs that are involved in this incident, which is making our work a bit hard but we are sure we will crack it and bring the perpetrators to book.”
The spokesperson of the Mpumalanga police, Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane, said when they arrived at the scene they found 20 cartridges but no guns. One of the deceased is a woman.
Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison Jackie Macie condemned the shooting.
“We condemn this barbaric and senseless loss of lives in the strongest possible terms. We are once more appealing that the police be given space and time to get to the bottom of the shootings. The perpetrators must be urgently arrested.
“We are imploring members of the public who may have information to come forward and assist the police.
“This incident yet again brings into a sharp focus the challenges posed by gun violence in this country. We are again calling on liquor traders to always prioritise the safety of their patrons. We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and we also wish those who were injured a speedy recovery,” said Macie.
SowetanLIVE
Mandla Khoza
www.sowetanlive.co.za
