Three suspected hit murders probed

THREE people have been killed in two separate suspected hit murders between Sunday night and yesterday morning.

While the motive in all three murders remains unknown, police have confirmed they will be looking into the possibility of the murders being arranged.

In two of the murders nothing was stolen, ruling out a robbery as a motive, while in the latest murder police are uncertain if anything was stolen.

Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said in the latest incident the body of an unidentified man was found lying outside a tavern in Salamtu Street in Kwazakhele yesterday morning.

“At this stage we are still gathering information. Police were called at about 6am when the man’s body was found by a passer-by.”

Beetge said detectives were still attempting to identify the man.

Nothing appeared to be missing from the man.

The murder took place just hours after two other men were killed outside the Meat Corner – a tavern in Mabandla Street, KwaNobuhle, at about 8.20pm on Sunday.

“Residents heard gunshots and went to investigate. The two deceased were found in the street. Both had been shot and died on the scene,” police spokeswoman Captain Gerda Swart said.

By late yesterday morning one of the men had been identified as Wandile “Ncasa” Latile, 33, who has a string of pending criminal cases, mainly for hijacking.

The other man had not yet been identified.

“We are working to establish his identity. It is suspected that he is from Port Elizabeth,” Swart said.