Staff Reporter.
Three children were among six people shot dead by a security guard from Mooi River, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Saturday.
The man (26) embarked on a deadly rampage moving between towns to carry out his shooting spree, before he later died in shootout with police.
The motive for the attacks is not yet known, but police are now investigating six deaths in connection with the incident.
At around 11pm on Saturday night, the security guard first opened fire on his 40-year-old colleague.
The colleague based in New Formosa, a rail station in KZN, died from gunshot wounds to the head.
The suspect then burnt his body before fleeing in the company vehicle.
Police later recovered his body from a nearby veld.
After the first shooting, police believe the suspect then headed to a farm in Mooi River where he allegedly killed another security guard aged 42.
The suspect then headed to a small town of Bruntville, which is part of the picturesque Midlands Meander in Mooi River.
There, he opened fire on his ex-girlfriend’s 34-year-old sister and three children who were with her at the time. The child aged five and 13 years old died from the onslaught.
He then fled the scene in the direction of his ex-girlfriend’s place of employment on Alexandra Terrace. He fired several shots at the woman and ran off.
The 25-year-old woman is currently fighting for her life in hospital.
Next, the security guard made his way to Kranskop where he was met with members of the Greytown officers.
KZN’s Saps spokesperson Jay Naidoo said the man resisted arrest and opened fire at the police officers.
“A shootout ensued and the suspect was fatally wounded. We are investigating six counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and an inquest across three districts,” said Naicker.