Two separate shootings at Sidwell flats

TWO men were wounded in separate shootings outside the Kudu Flats in Sidwell.

Police suspect that one of the shootings was related to a botched robbery while the motive for the other is unknown.

It is not yet known if the two shootings are linked.

Both men were taken to Port Elizabeth hospitals for treatment.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the first shooting took place at 3pm on Sunday in the car park outside the flats.

“A 35-year-old man claims that he was called by someone to go to the car park,” she said.

“When he went to the car park, a bakkie drove past and [someone] shot him once in the stomach.”

Hours later, at 9pm, another man was shot in what police suspect was a botched robbery.

“Later the same day, it is alleged that two men attempted to rob someone staying in one of the flatlets.

“The victim, however, managed to retaliate and the attackers ran off,” Naidu said.

“Later on, it appears that they returned and confronted the same man, resulting in them shooting him in the car park.

“At this stage, the two shootings are not linked.”

Asked about gangsters being involved in the attacks, Naidu said: “If it materialises that this is gang-related, the specialist gang investigators will take over [the cases].”

Two cases of attempted murder are under investigation.