A pregnant woman is fighting for her life in hospital after being shot at Port Edward Main Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
Emergency services say the incident occurred on Tuesday night in a parking area near the beach, following an apparent dispute inside a vehicle. It is understood the woman was shot as she attempted to exit the car.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service spokesperson Craig Botha said the woman, believed to be in her early 30s, sustained severe internal injuries after being shot once.
“The gunshot caused devastating internal damage, entering through her back and exiting via her abdomen,” Botha said.
He added that members of National Sea Rescue Institute Station 32 and the South African Police Service were first on the scene and provided initial assistance before paramedics took over advanced life-saving treatment.
Due to the severity of her injuries and the risks linked to her pregnancy, the woman was stabilised under intensive care conditions before being rushed to a specialised medical facility.
The parking area was cordoned off for several hours as forensic teams processed the scene. Authorities say the motive for the shooting and the identity of the suspect remain under investigation.