A manhunt was launched by police after six people were shot and killed in the Entshele area, past Ezakheni, outside Ladysmith in KZN. Four others left injured.

The incident occurred yesterday, and it is believed that 12 people were travelling in a bakkie along Helpmekaar Road when another vehicle approached and its occupants opened fire on the bakkie.

Six females (a 37-year-old, two 17-year-olds, a 15-year-old and two girls aged five and two) were declared dead at the scene.

The Witness reports that a 21-year-old woman escaped the shooting unharmed.

“Police in KZN have activated the 72-hour mobilisation of maximum resources in search of an unknown number of suspects,” says provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda.

He adds the motive of the killing has not yet been established.