Police in Elukwatini are facing a disturbing surge in violent crime as they investigate a trail of four murders that occurred over the weekend of Friday, June 06, to Sunday, June 08.
The incidents paint an ugly picture of escalating violence, with concerns also rising over the increasing deaths of undocumented foreign nationals in the area.
The tragic weekend began with an off-duty security guard fatally shooting a male individual outside a liquor outlet. Reports indicate that a group of boys were attempting a robbery at the time, but the identity of the person being robbed remains unclear. The security guard, the alleged shooter, has not yet been arrested, and investigations are ongoing to piece together the full sequence of events.
The violence continued into the early hours of Sunday, June 08, when an African male was stabbed to death around 06:00 in Nhlazatshe 6. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was involved in an altercation with a group of boys suspected to be a gang, which tragically spiraled out of control.
Shockingly, this incident sparked a retaliatory attack just an hour and a half later, around 07:30. A group believed to be affiliated with the deceased from the earlier stabbing sought out the alleged perpetrator. They located him in Nhlazatshe 7, where they succumbed to a fatal stabbing and beating.
In a separate and equally concerning development, an undocumented Zimbabwean national was brutally hacked to death in Tjakastad, near Eyergu Tavern. The motive behind this killing is currently unknown. This incident, however, highlights a growing trend in the Tjakastad area, where the bodies of illegal immigrants, often linked to illegal mining activities, have been increasingly discovered.
The Elukwatini Police Station management has expressed significant concern over the weekend’s events, vowing to work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice. As of Monday, June 09, no arrests have been made in connection with any of these cases, and investigations are actively continuing. Tip-offs can also be reported anonymously via the crime-stopping number 08600 10111 or through the MySAPS app.
