A total of six people were killed in separate incidents within three kilometres of each other in the Maitland area on Tuesday morning.  

Officers responded to the first incident in Melck Street in Ndabeni at 02:50. At the time, a passerby found a dog lying in a pool of blood.  

A spokesperson for the Western Cape SAPS, Colonel Andre Traut, said further investigation led police to the discovery of four bodies, three women and one man. 

“Upon responding, members discovered three women aged between 20 and 52, and an adult male, inside an informal dwelling. All four victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds,” said Traut.  

Traut noted that the Serious Violent Crime Unit are following up on leads, but did not clarify whether a motive for the murders had been identified.  

Just minutes later, at 02:55, another set of police officers was dispatched to the Maitland cemetery on Voortrekker Road in connection with an unrelated incident at 02:55.  

There, officers found the bodies of two men, who were fatally shot. Another two victims survived the shooting.  

“Two men, aged 35 and 36, were declared deceased on the scene, while two others, aged 31 and 32, were transported to a medical facility for treatment.” 

Traut noted that detectives suspect that this incident is gang-related. 

“Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder,” said Traut. 

No arrests have been made in either of the mentioned cases yet. 

“The South African Police Service in the Western Cape strongly condemns the senseless violence… [and] will relentlessly pursue those responsible with the full might of the law and remains committed to restoring safety in affected communities,” Traut said.

The Maitland Community Policing Forum declined to comment further, with deputy chairperson Leigh Anderson stating that “our position is that any enquiries are best handled by SAPS regarding these incidents”. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop or report anonymously via the MySAPS app.