Philippi residents are reeling from the murder of a 17-year-old who was shot several times with a rifle and killed, allegedly for filming an ongoing extortion incident at a local spaza shop.
Also read: City staff face more threats and attempts of extortion in Eerste River
The suspects saw him and pursued him on Sunday around 7pm in the Siyahlala informal settlement in Browns Farm, Philippi.
He then ran into a house and was shot.
According to IOL, a leaked report read: ‘The victim was busy recording suspects, busy extorting a spaza shop. The suspects saw him making a video and started chasing him. He ran to a shack where he stayed and was followed. The boy then ran into his home and closed the door. One suspect fired two shots at the door and kicked the door open.’
The document stated that the suspect demanded his mobile, which contained the evidence.
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‘He demanded the cellphone. Another male came rushing in and asked where the boy was. The suspect was armed with a rifle, he fired four shots in the lounge and the kitchen areas.’
‘He managed to shoot the boy, wounding him in the arm and upper body.’
The document said the suspects grabbed a cellphone and then fled the scene.
‘They took the wrong phone and left the cellphone of the boy. The boy was taken to Mitchells Plain hospital.’
‘Eight rifle cartridges, one 9mm cartridge and one 9mm round were found on the scene. The cellphone of the victim was taken from the scene and handed in at Nyanga police station.’
The teenager died in the hospital, and police filed a murder charge.
Malcolm Pojie, a police spokesperson, confirmed that the youngster was fatally wounded.
‘The circumstances surrounding the shooting incident are still being investigated by Nyanga SAPS detectives. It is alleged that the deceased was chased and shot by two unknown suspects, armed with firearms.’
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‘As a result, Nyanga police opened a murder docket for further investigation. No arrests have been made yet.’
In an effort to combat extortion, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has launched a citywide anti-extortion campaign in Khayelitsha with the slogan ‘Enough is Enough!’ Genoeg is Genoeg! Kwanele!’
The launch took place in Khayelitsha, where an extortion-related project to build new MyCiTi depots is underway.
The City established a 24-hour hotline (0800 00 6992) and a rewards system to encourage residents to assist the City and authorities in combating extortion, with billboards set to be installed on major routes indicating how to report.
Reporting can be anonymous.
Police also have the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team and the Anti-Extortion Task Team, and they have arrested suspects involved in the collection of ‘protection fees.’
He asked anyone with information on extortion to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Also read:
Garbage piling up in Cape Town townships as extortion gangs drive out City contractors
Picture: Nathan Costa / Unsplash