An exchange of gunfire at Marite Sports Ground near Hazyview, Mpumalanga has claimed the lives of two men, injuring three men including police officers.
The police in Mpumalanga say eleven suspects between the age of 25 and 35 have been arrested during the commotion.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Leonard Hlath, said the incident occurred when a group of people held an after tears party where they engaged in illegal activities such as vehicle spinning as well as firing shots randomly.
“Police were alerted and they responded immediately, however upon arrival, the suspects fired shots at them injuring two. Then retaliated, fatally shot two of the suspects and injured another. One of the two suspects who were fatally wounded was found to have an unlicensed firearm. During the commotion, police managed to arrest eleven suspects and recover live ammunition as well,” Hlathi.
Hlathi said a case of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as malicious damage to property as one police vehicle was damaged has been opened.
The two officers as well as the injured suspect were taken to hospital for medical treatment and the suspect is under police guard.
The family of the two men who were shot dead still saddened by the police silence following the death of their loved ones
The family from Mariti lost two young men while others are among the eleven who were arrested during a shootout between them and the police over the past weekend
The family’s Walter Mndawe says they are shocked that the police are referring to these young men as suspects.
Mdawe says they have been waiting for the police to take statements, however, they have not heard anything from them yet.
“This is an insult to us as family members, you kill our boys and arrest some then call them criminals. I hope we will get justice on this matter, we are extremely devastated as a family,” added Mdawe.