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Western Cape police faced a challenging weekend, with at least nine people found dead and several others seriously injured in various parts of Cape Town.
The violence began on Friday with a deadly shooting in the Nyakathisa informal settlement in Mfuleni, resulting in the deaths of a 31-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man. A 4-year-old girl was also wounded and rushed to a nearby hospital.
According to Western Cape Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg, ‘Mfuleni police were called to the crime scene, where they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies. The male and female were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the child was taken to a medical facility for treatment. The motive for the attack is yet to be established.’
Also on Friday, three individuals were shot and killed in Delft. Serious Violent Crimes Unit detectives are pursuing leads to apprehend the suspects responsible for killing a 27-year-old woman, a 28-year-old man, and an unidentified male in the Tsunami informal settlement. Colonel Andre Traut stated, ‘The motive of the multiple murders is yet to be determined.’
On Saturday, a 43-year-old man was fatally shot in Aliam Street, Site B, Khayelitsha. Twigg reported, ‘Police members attended to the crime scene where they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is yet to be established.’
Later that night, a 22-year-old man was killed and another person seriously injured in the Endlovini informal settlement in Khayelitsha. Twigg said, ‘Police members attended to the crime scene where they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies. The 33-year-old victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The other victim was taken to a medical facility for treatment. The motive for the attack is yet to be established.’
Additionally, two people were killed and four others injured in a shooting early Saturday morning in New Flats, Langa. Twigg reported, ‘Langa police responded to a complaint of a shooting, and upon arrival at the scene, they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies. One adult male was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel while the other five victims were taken to a medical facility for treatment where the adult female later died due to injuries sustained.’ The motive for this attack is also under investigation.
No arrests have been made in any of these cases.
Delft Community Policing Forum chairperson Reggie Maart expressed deep concern over the mass murders in the area. Western Cape Community Police Forum board spokesperson Justin Kumlehn called for urgent action in response to the surge in violence.
Kumlehn stated, ‘We express deep concern over the recent surge in violent incidents, including numerous murders and attempted murders over the weekend. The loss of so many lives is tragic and unacceptable. The spike in violence, particularly on the Cape Flats, attributed to gang activity underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive societal response.’
The police board has urged SAPS management to bolster the resources allocated to the Anti-Gang Unit to combat gang violence effectively. Kumlehn added, ‘The police board urges SAPS management to implement the 72-hour action plan following every murder of a child in the province, a strategy that has proven effective in the past when properly executed. We urge communities to unite and report any suspicious activities promptly. Too often, crimes go unreported due to silence or fear; We cannot afford to turn a blind eye any longer. Communities and community-based organisations must set aside differences and collaborate to tackle crime effectively.’