South African police launch investigation as 8 people killed in different attacks

Special security operatives have commenced investigations into three separate incidents in a town in Cape Town, South Africa, after a total of eight people were murdered early Wednesday morning.

While confirming the incident, the South African Police Service said officers responded to the shooting incident where the bodies of four males and one female were discovered with gunshot wounds.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the five deaths on Ncumu Street could be linked to two incidents hours before.

Until now, no specific motive has been identified for the killings, but police said the same suspects could be responsible.

However, Ward councillor Anele Gabuza, suggested that some of the victims are local criminals who were known for robbing people of their phones and money.

South Africa remains one of the countries with the highest murder rates in the world, with about 20,000 murders recorded every year out of a population of about 60 million.

Data from the campaign group Gun Free South Africa, indicated that on average, 31 people are shot and killed every day in the country, which has 4.5 million licensed guns.