Seven men were shot and killed execution style in KwaMashu, north of Durban on Monday.

The deceased, all men, were found lying next to each other under a railway bridge with gunshot wounds to the head and body.

Numerous cartridges were found scattered on the scene.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed the incident.

He said police at KwaMashu Police Station received information at about 11 pm on Monday about the shooting.

"Police were informed that seven men were attacked and shot under the bridge at the intersection of Mandela Road and the M25 off-ramp.

"All seven deceased who are in their thirties, were found lying next to a pillar of the railway bridge and in a line with gunshot wounds to the head and body," he said.

He said police found 18 9mm spent cartridges at the scene.

Brigadier Naicker also said information at the police's disposal received from the crime scene is that the deceased lived under the railway bridge and were involved in criminality in the area.

"At this stage, the motive is suspected to be vigilantism. The case docket has been allocated to detectives from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit and we are confident that they will be able to make a breakthrough in this matter," said Brigadier Naicker.