Extortion is suspected to be behind the killing of five men, aged 22 to 30, whose burnt bodies were found in Better Life, Philippi, although the exact motive for the crime that has shocked the community isn’t clear yet, say police.
The men’s bodies were found in 48 Crescent next to an Avanza on Friday February 7.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile visited the scene the following day.
He said police were unsure at this stage whether the victims – two of whom were brothers – had been shot while sitting inside the Avanza and whether they had been burnt first and then shot or the other way around.
Empty cartridges had been found at the scene, he said, adding that information the police had received suggested the victims had been ambushed by four assailants.
The motive for the killings was unclear, but police suspected it was linked to extortion linked to conflict between the settlements of Better Life and Marcus Garvey.
He said that according to police records, three of the five victims had been involved in violent crimes: carjacking and house robberies. All the victims were from the Island area in Crossroads.
He said there appeared to be a new crime trend where victims were shot and burnt.
“We have also deployed additional members in this area… We are putting all the resources to ensure that we are working tirelessly to ensure that we get to the bottom of this.”
Residents refused to comment, saying they feared for their lives.
