Police in Kwanobuhle are investigating several cases of murder and robbery after a day of chaos on Friday when criminals targeted several spaza shops in the area.
Spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge says shops were looted and police quickly responded to curb further attacks and escort shop owners out of the area.
He says in the first incident a shop owner was overpowered by three armed men outside his shop in Sonto Street.
Beetge says moments after they grabbed his cash a scuffle ensued and one suspect started shooting, fatally wounding his accomplice.
The 31-year-old Sinethemba Leve sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and died on the scene.
Captain Beetge says a 9mm pistol was found on the deceased.
He says in the second incident a few hours later a shop was robbed in Golomi Street.
Three armed men demanded money from the shop assistant and when he refused the shop was set alight.
Captain Beetge says as the suspects fled the scene they fired shots and killed the 32-year-old shop assistant Habtamu Bherina.
He says early on Friday evening another two men died when their shops were looted in Bantom and Pilani Street.
Captain Beetge says the 27-year-old Dareba Badol was fatally wounded while the 26-year-old Nkululeko Jonas died of smoke inhalation when his shop was set alight.
Police have condemned the acts of violence and activated a 72-hour plan to catch the perpetrators.
