Five people were killed and one critically injured in four suspected hit murders in the Bay over a six-hour period on Sunday morning.
Police say at least three of the killings – which occurred at two houses only 1km apart – are possibly linked.
The murders range from people being burnt and stoned to being shot multiple times or execution-style in the head.
Police spokesperson Captain André Beetge said three murders had happened within 30 minutes of each other in Kwazakhele.
In all the attacks, police have ruled out robbery but suspect they could be linked to gang-related fighting.
“According to our initial information, three men knocked on the door of a house in Ngwendu Street at about 4.30am,” Beetge said.
“They asked for a particular person by name.
“When they were told the person was not at the house, the three men produced firearms and forced their way in.
“Three people were shot inside the house. One survived and is in a critical condition.”
Siyabulela Dyani, 34, and Vuyisa Sizani, 28, were both shot in the head while the third man, 37, who is not being named, survived.
“A person who heard the gunshots alerted the police, but on arrival the gunmen had gone,” Beetge said.
At about 5am, Gcobani Pinda, 32, was killed inside his house in Salamntu Street, Kwazakhele – only a kilometre away from the first incident.
“According to a person who lives nearby, they woke to several gunshots in the street and went to investigate.
“When they went outside, about eight men were seen running away from the house.
“The residents found [Pinda] lying next to the bed with multiple gunshots to the body.”
Beetge said that in both Kwazakhele attacks, nothing was stolen from the victims.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Captain Frank van den Berg on 082-394-5957
In another suspected hit, at about 2am on Sunday, the body of Christopher Mitchell, 34, who police said was a Rastafarian, was found in Kok Street in Booysen Park.
“He sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body,” police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said.
“No witnesses were present and the motive is unknown.”
In another hit, the charred remains of Elrico Tiervleir, 28, were found on a concrete slab in an open park between Canada and Greece streets in KwaNoxolo, Bethelsdorp, at about 7.20am on Sunday.
Naidu said Tiervleir – who police say was a Hondekoppe gang member – had left home in Siyazama Street at 6am.
“Preliminary reports indicate that he was taken to the park, assaulted with bricks and then set alight,” she said.