Police are on the hunt for armed suspects following a deadly shooting at a barbershop in Khayelitsha, which claimed the lives of four people, including three children.

Two minors, aged 11 and 12, and a 30-year-old man, died on the scene on Saturday afternoon, while three others, aged between 5 and 15 were hospitalized.

A 5-year-old boy died in hospital on Sunday morning.

Detectives attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances of the multiple murder.

The motive for the incident is yet to be determined.

Police say the suspects approached the barber shop in Gqrwarha Street in Khayelitsha and opened fire at occupants at the premises at around 16:00, before fleeing the scene.

The Khayelitsha Development Forum told News24 the issue of attacks on small businesses, particularly in the Site C area, has been a growing cause for concern.

Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen has expressed his shock.

“This incident is horrific and angers me deeply, particularly with the number of young people senselessly murdered and wounded. These heartless criminals have absolutely no regard for life. We need to ensure that they are swiftly arrested so that a conviction can follow. Life should never be this cheap.” 

Allen has urged anyone with information to make it available to all law enforcement agencies.

Mass killings have been plaguing Khayelitsha for months. In April, eight people were shot dead in two separate incidents in Harare, Khayelitsha, in one single morning.

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