Gun violence proves to be uncontrollable in the Cape with another shooting in Hanover Park on Monday, March 15. One person was killed, while three were wounded, reports IOL.
Ebrahim Abrahams, Hanover Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson, has called on specialised authorities to intervene, saying many innocent lives were at stake.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, had the following to say.
“Philippi police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder after a shooting incident during the early hours of the morning at Donegal Court, where a 32-year-old was shot and fatally wounded and three others aged 23, 28 and 44 shot and injured.”
“All the injured victims were taken to a nearby medical facility for medical treatment. The possibility that the incident is gang-related cannot be ruled out,” he said according to IOL.
The perpetrators fled the scene in two Volkswagen Polo vehicles with unknown registration numbers, Van Wyk said.
A video, presumably shot on Sunday, was shared on social media. Continuous gunshots can be heard, with a caption that an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed in the crossfire. No such case was reported, continued IOL.
Abrahams said the community was frustrated with the “delayed response time” by SAPS.
“What is happening now is that the community is frustrated with the delayed response time of police and they are retaliating against these authorities. They respond hours after shootings occur. With their response, all they are doing is reaction and never prevention of it.
“What is more sad is that our elderly and most vulnerable are now captive in their homes, terrified of these shootings. People are hiding in their homes while there is bloodshed and it isn’t a new thing.”
Ceasefire chairperson, Craven Engel, spoke of the additional concerns regarding service delivery in the area.
“We are busy with serious interventions in the community which includes organisations coming on board to assist with vulnerable youth, but when an area is recognised as a ‘red zone’, these services are sometimes extracted from the area, which is even more concerning as we can’t afford to lose such services for our youth.
’’These violent crimes happen in the catchment areas of gangs where they target children from as young as seven years old,” concluded IOL in their report.
Anyone with any information about this shooting is urged to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Xolani Baso, on 021 690 1517 or 078 319 6745. Alternatively, contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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