Victims of Philippi East mass shooting were sales agents - landlord

THE owner of the home where seven men were shot dead and their bodies partially set alight in Philippi East says he rented the property to three people but was later informed 11 people were living there.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE [e-mail]

COUNCILLOR Zukisani Sophazi reacts to the shooting that left seven people dead in Better Life. | PICTURES: MANDILAKHE TSHWETE THE killers tried to burn the bodies of the seven men. THE bedroom where six men were shot and killed.

(MANDILAKHE TSHWETE)

The attack, which took place around 10pm in Road 53, Better Life, bore the hallmarks of a coordinated execution.

One victim was found in the front room, while six others lay in the bedroom, their bodies surrounded by smoke-stained walls and the charred remnants of a fire the killers had tried to start.

A strong smell of smoke lingered through the house on Saturday morning.

Blood marked the passage, the bedroom door was scorched, and blankets lay heaped in the centre of the dark room.

In the kitchen, a bowl of dough sat untouched, a haunting reminder of the life interrupted just moments before the gunfire. Homeowner Sisa Mateyisi said he was alerted that his rented house was burning.