An apparent gang-land hit near the Mercantile centre in Port Elizabeth late on Monday afternoon sparked another two gang killings in less than 24 hours.
Warrant officer Alwin Labans says shortly after a 26 year-old man was shot 8 times and killed in a taxi, which had stopped to off-load passengers at the Mercantile centre, a number of other shootings broke out in the city's Northern Areas.
Labans says a power blackout lasting more than an hour appeared to further exacerbate the situation.
At around 6pm - two men fired six shots at a 36 year-old man and his 26 year-old friend standing outside a house in Springbok Street, Gelvandale.
The 36 year-old was struck in the chest and lower back and died later in hospital.
Labans named the deceased as Jermaine 'Billo' Esau
Just before 7pm an unkown number of men barged into a house in Closemore Crescent - Malabar - and fired 9 shots at the people inside.
A 30 year-old man was hit in the right arm and shoulder and his 22 year-old wife was struck in the back. They're both recovering in hospital.
Her 23 year-old brother escaped unharmed.
At about the same time in Cotrell Street, Korsten, 3 suspected gangsters fired 23 shots at a 25 year-old man. He was hit in the legs, back and buttocks but miraculously survived and is recovering in hospital.
Labans says a further two gang shootings took place on Tuesday with deadly consequences.
At around 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning - two shooters fired 11 shots at a 36 year-old man walking near his home in Galtonia Street, Bethelsdorp.
He was struck in the head and upper body and died at the scene.
The deceased has been identified as Malvin Bruintjies.
Warrant Officer Labans says there was a drive-by shooting in Avolon Crescent in Gelvandale at one o'clock on Tuesday afternoon.
The driver of a black VW polo was shot at four times by a group of men who pulled up alongside him in another vehicle.
The man sustained bullet wounds to the legs and is in a satisfactory condition in hospital.
Anyone with information on these shooting is encouraged to contact the PE Gang Task unit on a secure line dedicated to deal only with gang-related matters.
The number is 082 387 63 20
