Amber Brown

Eugene Marais Hospital spokesperson Amber Brown said since the beginning of the year the hospital had treated 176 patients with crime-related injuries.

"Since January, we've treated 21 victims of shooting incidents and 152 of assault.We've also admitted five patients with human bite wounds.

"Injuries resulting from burglaries, hijackings, assaults, attempted murder, rape, child abuse and murder are on the increase," said Brown.

Spokesperson for Unitas Hospital Corne Bekker said between January to September, 162 patients were admitted for crime-related injuries. "We've seen 18 gunshot victims and 23 victims of sexual assault," she said.

Hospital spokesperson Amber Brown said Lessing was in a stable condition and recovering well.

Meanwhile, Eugene Marais Hospital spokesman Amber Brown confirmed five people had died and three were in a critical condition.

"Three people were also treated for shock and discharged," Brown said.

She said ambulances "started arriving in droves" at the hospital at about 8.05 am.

Victims Willem and Martie Snyman, in their sixties, were severely wounded in the chest, shoulders and neck, according to Amber Brown, spokeswoman for the Eugene Marais Hospital.

Victims Willem and Martie Snyman, in their sixties, were severely wounded in the chest, shoulders and neck, according to Amber Brown, a spokesperson for the Eugene Marais Hospital.