Five individuals, among them two teenagers, lost their lives while four others sustained injuries in a recent shooting incident within the Muizenberg precinct.
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Concerns of potential violence spillover have prompted the neighbouring Steenberg Community Police Forum (CPF) to issue an alert.
‘In response to the recent surge in shootings and tragic loss of life within our precinct and neighbouring precincts, the Steenberg Community Police Forum is issuing a call for heightened vigilance and community cooperation.’
‘The escalating violence has deeply impacted our neighbourhoods, and it is imperative that we stand together to address this urgent issue. It is incumbent upon each and every individual to report anything suspicious and come forward with any information that could assist in bringing those responsible to justice,’ the CPF said.
The series of shootings commenced with the execution of three individuals in Hillview on Saturday morning.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said, ‘Provincial detectives are probing the circumstances surrounding the death of three people, two males aged 15 and 18 and a 25-year-old woman, whose bodies were found in the early hours of Saturday in Drakensberg Road, Hillview and Muizenberg.’
‘Muizenberg SAPS members were dispersed to the scene at about 5:45am after being alerted by community members. The members discovered the three bodies who had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to their heads. They were declared dead by medical personnel who attended to the scene. Three counts of murder have been opened for further investigation.’
Pojie reported that additional incidents occurred later that afternoon.
‘Police are probing the circumstances surrounding two separate drive-by shooting incidents which occurred in Woodpecker Road and on the corner of St Patricks and St William Streets respectively. Both scenes are located within Seawinds, Muizenberg.’
‘Preliminary information with regards to the Woodpecker scene suggests that unknown gunmen opened fire and killed a 15-year-old boy and wounded another man who was transported to hospital privately. Murder and attempted murder cases will be investigated.’
‘With regards to the St Patricks scene, preliminary information suggests that gunmen opened fire on a group and wounded three men who were transported to the hospital, privately. Three counts of attempted murder will be opened for further investigation. The motive is believed to be gang-related, but still needs to be confirmed,’ Pojie said.
At 11pm on Saturday night, Pojie disclosed that a 47-year-old man met a tragic end at his residence.
Allegedly, unknown assailants knocked on his door, and upon his opening, he was fatally shot multiple times in the back. He tragically passed away at the scene.
‘No arrests have been made yet and the motive forms part of an ongoing investigation,’ adds Pojie.
MEC Reagen Allen, overseeing Police Oversight and Community Safety, stated that he has initiated discussions with senior police officials, the City of Cape Town and other stakeholders regarding the recent shootings.
‘Increased deployments have been actioned, while intelligence is being operationalised. We do need mass presence on the ground, and this is part of the reason why we will continue to ensure our LEAP members are present in areas where violence and murders are highest,’ Pojie concluded.
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Picture: Velizar Ivanov / Unsplash