An Eastern Cape man, out on bail for a murder charge, shot and killed three women on Saturday, leaving a pregnant woman wounded.

He turned the gun on himself the following day.

He was part of a group of friends and family who were watching the Rugby World Cup semi-final at a house in Old Location, Ugie.

Just seconds after the match between England and South Africa ended, a man pulled out a gun and shot his girlfriend and her cousin dead, leaving their pregnant friend wounded. He then rushed to another address to finish off a friend of his girlfriend's who had managed to escape during the shooting.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed they have opened cases of murder, attempted murder and an inquest.

"A man opened fire on four people, fatally wounding three in Ugie in what is believed to have been a jealous rage, and then turned the weapon on himself on Sunday," said Nkohli.

"The girlfriend and another woman died at the scene, while the third victim sustained gunshot wounds."

The suspect allegedly went to a second house a few kilometres away where he fatally shot a woman who is believed to have been a friend of his girlfriend.

The three dead women were his girlfriend Khanyisile Ncuku, 30, her cousin Thembakazi Mazingisa, 42, and their friend, Nwabisa Nokali, 38.

The fourth woman, Olwethu Vuntu, 33, who is five months pregnant, survived after being shot in the face.

The shooter was identified as Ndikho Thimba.

NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali confirmed that Thimba was out on bail for murder.

"Ndikho Thimba had a pending murder case before the Tsolo Regional Court," Tyali said.

Nwabisa Nokali was a key state witness in a murder case against Thimba. He allegedly killed his employer, Monwabisi Mambila, in October 2022.

She was due to testify against him in court on Wednesday.

Her mother, Thandeka, 59, confirmed that her daughter had been a key state witness in the case against Thimba.

Police said Thimba shot himself on Sunday after they negotiated with him to surrender.