14 killed in Ladysmith shootings

A total of 14 people were killed in two shootings and an accident in Ezakheni, Ladysmith, at the weekend, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Sunday.

Captain Thulani Zwane said five people were shot dead at a car wash in Ezakheni's B-Section in Ladysmith, while another person was killed in an accident caused by a shooting on Ezakheni's Peters Road. A further eight people were killed in an accident on the same road.

All the incidents happened on Saturday.

"The five people, all men, were sitting at the car wash around 6.30pm yesterday when occupants of a [Toyota] Avanza opened fire towards them," said Zwane.

"All five were fatally wounded."

Police found spent cartridges of R5 rifles and 9mm pistols at the scene.

"The motive is unknown and no arrests have been made."

Zwane said it was unclear if the shooting was linked to another shooting incident in Ladysmith earlier in the day.

He said a Mercedes-Benz with five occupants had been travelling along Peters Road and was followed by a VW Polo.

"Occupants of the VW Polo opened fire towards the Mercedes and as a result the Mercedes lost control. One person died from the Mercedes and four others were injured and taken to hospital," he said.

Police opened a case of murder and four counts of attempted murder.

No arrests had been made yet.

This incident was followed by another accident on the same road.

"A Kombi that was following the two vehicles [the Mercedes and the Polo] had a head-on collision with an oncoming truck."

Four occupants of the Kombi died on scene and several other passengers were taken to hospital.

"Later, four others died in hospital," said Zwane.

Cases of culpable homicide were opened.