Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, has expressed grave concern over the recent increase in mass shootings and violent criminal activities in the Nelson Mandela Bay District following the fatal shooting of four people in Kwadwesi.
The latest attack occurred on Saturday evening, 6 June 2026, in Govern Mbeki (Ezinyoka), Kwadwesi, where four people lost their lives and two others were seriously injured.
According to police, officers responded to a shooting incident in Mti Street and discovered three victims — two women and one man — inside a house. All three had sustained fatal gunshot wounds to their heads and faces and were declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
A fourth victim, a woman who was rushed to hospital in critical condition, later succumbed to her injuries. Two other female victims survived the attack and remain hospitalised.
Preliminary investigations indicate that four armed men wearing balaclavas entered the property and demanded to see one of the deceased victims. The suspects allegedly demanded money from those present and instructed them to open their banking applications on their cellphones.
Police further allege that the suspects then opened fire on the occupants before fleeing the scene with the victims’ cellphones.
Condemning the killings, MEC Nqatha described the attack as barbaric and inhumane.
“The recent rise in horrific attacks and criminal activities poses a serious threat to our communities and seeks to undermine the efforts of the SAPS in combating crime in the district,” said Nqatha.
“We want to send a strong message to criminals that no amount of intimidation will deter SAPS from protecting the citizens of this province. The government, together with SAPS, is intensifying crime-fighting strategies to protect the citizens of Nelson Mandela District.”
Nqatha also conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” he said.
Police have launched a manhunt for the four suspects, and investigations into the motive behind the attack are ongoing.
The incident has once again raised concerns about violent crime in Nelson Mandela Bay, with authorities vowing to intensify efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
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