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Acting Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Major General Dr. Zeph Mkhwanazi has announced an increased police presence in Mkhuhlu, near Hazyview, following the latest deadly shooting that claimed four lives and left another person critically injured.
The attack occurred at approximately 20:40 on Sunday, 12 July 2026, in the Crossroads section of Mkhuhlu Township. According to police, a vehicle carrying five occupants was about to enter a family residence when armed suspects emerged and opened fire on the vehicle.
Four of the occupants were killed at the scene, while a fifth victim sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
Addressing the media during an urgent briefing on Monday morning, 13 July, Major General Mkhwanazi said preliminary investigations indicate that the attackers used what appears to have been a rifle and a 9mm firearm.
“It looks like a rifle and a 9mm firearm were used in the attack. We subsequently increased our deployment in Mkhuhlu since last night to manage the situation,” Mkhwanazi said.
He added that investigators are working to establish the motive behind the attack and appealed to the community to assist police with information.
“Investigations are ongoing and we hope that members of the community will come forward with information that can assist us in making sure that we get the suspects who attacked the victims. These incidents of gun violence happening in Mkhuhlu or in Calcutta as a whole are not happening for the first time and we do not know what the motive for these attacks is,” he said.
The latest killings come just days after the fatal shooting of local ward secretary Shaun Matjeke on Thursday, 9 July. Police responded to reports of gunfire and found a grey VW Polo parked on the side of the road with Matjeke’s body in the driver’s seat. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene by Emergency Medical Services personnel.
No arrests have been made in either incident, and police are continuing their search for the suspects.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that could assist the investigations or lead to the arrest of those responsible to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the MySAPS App.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu is expected to visit the Calcutta Police Station at 11:00 on Monday, where he will engage with SAPS members and affected community members as concerns grow over the escalating violence in the area.
The latest attack brings renewed attention to the ongoing wave of violent crime in the Calcutta policing precinct, where a series of fatal shootings has left residents living in fear.
