Eight people attacked and murdered in separate incidents

NELSPRUIT – The Police in Mpumalanga expressed concern and condemned incidents of attacks and murders that occurred at Embalenhle over the weekend.

The concern follows after eight people were attacked and murdered at Embalenhle in separate incidents.

According to a police statement among them was an attack that took place at a local liquor outlet on Saturday, 25 August 2018, when a group of unknown men armed with bottles and firearms entered a tavern and suddenly opened fire, indiscriminately, before fleeing the scene.

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“Police were summoned and they discovered that one of the victims had already died, while four were rushed to a hospital for medical attention. Later that day, two of them also passed on, while the other two remained in a critical condition. No one has been arrested yet.” said police spokesperson Colonel Mtsholi Bhembe in a statement.

In a separate incident that also took place on the same day, at another liquor outlet next to the Mall@Emba, police were summoned to a scene where they found a 23-year-old man lying face down on the ground with multiple stab wounds on his body. It is alleged that the victim was walking with his friend when they were approached by a group of men who started a fight with them, resulting in the suspects being fatally stabbed.

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Bhembe said police subsequently launched a manhunt and six suspects aged between 17 and 24 were apprehended. They are expected to appear in court soon, facing a charge of murder.

“Four other victims, bringing the total to eight were found dead with multiple stab wounds in separate incidents around Embalenhle,” added Bhembe.

General Zuma vowed that police will work tirelessly in ensuring that those responsible are brought to book and requested the community to volunteer information that may assist police in their investigation.