UPDATE: Six people dead, others injured in Finetown shooting

At least six people have died and five others were left injured following a mass shooting in Ennerdale, located in the south of Johannesburg.

The incident took place in Finetown, Ennerdale on Saturday night.

According to the South African Police Service (Saps), a total of 11 people were shot at the corner of Beatrice and Phillips streets.

Attempted robbery

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili said in a statement on Sunday that four suspects allegedly tried to rob the street vendors selling chicken feet.

“The vendors allegedly resisted and threw stones at the suspects and their vehicle’s rear window was damaged. The suspects drove off and came back on foot after a while armed with firearms. They then shot at the vendors and bystanders,” she explained.

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Four were pronounced dead at the crime scene.

“Three men and a woman died on the scene while two women died on arrival in hospital. Another four men and a woman are being treated for gunshot wounds in hospital,” Muridili said.

Police are investigating a case of six counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

“The provincial serious and violent crimes, murder and robbery unit is following leads to trace and arrest the perpetrators,” she added.

Mass shootings

South Africa has seen an increase in mass shootings in the past few months, with the most recent taking place on Monday at a tavern in the Jerusalema informal settlement, located in Gauteng.

It is believed that a group of unknown suspects stormed into the tavern on the West Rand and started randomly shooting at the patrons, killing four – including the tavern owner.

In another incident on 7 October, three people were shot dead and three wounded when gunmen stormed in a tavern in Bityi, Eastern Cape.

READ MORE: Soweto tavern shooting: Suspects claim to be assaulted in custody as case postponed

Meanwhile, the case against the five suspects arrested in connection with the Soweto tavern shooting will return to the Orlando Magistrate’s Court on 8 November.

The matter was postponed by the court in order for the state to finalise the charge sheet.

The suspects have been charged with 19 counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice.

They were arrested following a shooting at the Mdlalose Tavern in Nomzamo Park, Orlando.

The gunmen used an AK47 and pistols leaving 16 people dead.

According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, more than 130 empty cartridges were found at the crime scene.