Western Cape police have launched a manhunt after five persons were gunned down and seven injured in several shooting incidents that occurred at different locations in Mitchells Plain, on Thursday. This as gangsters were running amok
Shooting incidents were
reported in Beacon Valley, Tafelsig and Eastridge, amongst others.
‘’ Reports from the scene
indicate that at approximately 12:30, five persons were shot at in a tuck-shop
in Beacon Valley. Two died and three were injured. Also in Beacon Valley, four
other persons were shot at in another tuck shop. One died and three were
wounded. In the third shooting incident, another person was shot and injured,
also in Beacon Valley. In two other shooting incidents that occurred in
Tafelsig and Town Centre, two fatalities were recorded respectively,’’ said Brigadier
Novela Potelwa, Western Cape police spokesperson.
‘’All incidents are
believed to be gang related. Murder and attempted murder cases have been opened
and Anti Gang Unit detectives are investigating the incidents. Meanwhile
multidisciplinary deployments have been bolstered to prevent further
occurrences. As the manhunt for the perpetrators continues, no arrests have
been effected yet,’’ she added.
PICTURE: PixabayThe City of Cape Town has since deployed additional
resources to the area.
‘’The City is deploying additional resources to Mitchells
Plain to support the SAPS, following multiple shooting incidents in the area. We
have availed nearly 60 members from LEAP, the Metro Police Tactical Response
Unit and the Traffic Services’ Roadblock Unit. Our operational management are
working closely with SAPS on this matter and we will avail any other resources
where needed so that calm may be restored,’’ said JP Smith, MMC for Safety
& security, on Thursday afternoon.
The Western Cape’s Police Oversight and Community Safety
MEC, Anroux Marais, has expressed outrage and concern towards the incident. She
met with the Mitchell’s Plain station Commander who said police activated its
72-hour plan in response to deadly shootings in the suburb.
‘’I commend the South African Police Service and the City
of Cape Town for their swift and coordinated response. I urge them to use every
resource available to apprehend those responsible for terrorising our
communities. I also appeal to members of the public: if you have any
information that could assist the police, please come forward. All information
will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.”
The Cape Flats Safety Forum says more policing resources
are needed in the area.
‘’we call on the provincial commissioner to step up the
game, to put all efforts in deploying all resources so that we can have stabilization
in the Mitchell’s Plain policing precinct. We have further called for a
commission of inquiry into gang violence and also call for the deployment of
SANDF for a force multiplier to SAPS to stabilise gang-ridden areas,’’ said Abie
Isaacs, Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town has offered a R100 000
reward for
information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for
the deadly shootings that occurred in Mitchell’s Plain.
‘’ The recent shootings in Mitchells Plain are a
direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of our communities. This level of
violence will not be tolerated - not in Mitchells Plain, and not anywhere in
our city. Every resident has the right to feel safe in their own neighbourhood,
and we will act decisively to protect that right,’’ said Eddie Andrews, Acting Cape
Town Mayor.
‘’ It is imperative that we find those responsible
for these shootings. Apart from manpower, the City also has various other
resources that are available to SAPS to help expedite the investigations. We
will maintain our increased deployment levels in the area to help restore calm,
and to find the perpetrators. I understand that the public might be hesitant to
speak up, but please, if you know anything about yesterday's events, we ask
that you consider coming forward and sharing that information,’’ said JP Smith,
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
Done By: Mitchum George
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