Africa-Press – South-Africa. Three people were killed and three others wounded in less than 24 hours of deadly gang shootings in Manenberg, Cape Town.
On Wednesday at 14:00, a shootout between gangs erupted in front of the Manenberg police station in Duinefontein Road, said police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg.
“This shooting led the conflict into another gang’s turf. [This] has now led to retaliation by the other gangs in the area,” said Twigg.
On Wednesday night, three men, aged 19, 21 and 25, were shot in Peta Court. The 21-year-old succumbed to his wounds.
Shortly afterwards, police were called to a property in Renoster Road, where an argument had resulted in several shots being fired. A man who suffered five gunshot wounds to the back was found dead on a bed.
On Thursday at around 06:30, a 33-year-old man was killed and his 69-year-old mother wounded in the back. She was taken to hospital.
“The motive for the shooting incidents is suspected to be gang related,” said Twigg.
Twigg added:
According to the Manenberg Community Policing Forum’s Vernon Visagie, residents have come to view the shootings as normal.
“These shootings flare up any time. We just don’t know when. It’s a sad state of affairs that we’ve accepted this way of living,” he said.
Visagie called for all spheres of government to intervene in Manenberg.
“We’re in a serious situation where we’ve tolerated this, and we’re used to the idea that the police and government are failing us. We request more resources but get ignored. There are serious challenges in our community, and everyone needs to come on board and sort out Manenberg once and for all,” said Visagie.
City of Cape Town mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said additional resources in the form of the metro police’s Gang and Drug Task Team would be deployed in the area.
He added that at least 11 shootings had taken place since Wednesday and that five gangs were involved in the violence. Several operations were planned with all stakeholders for the next few days, Smith added.
Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagan Allen said the recent flare-up of shootings between opposing gangs in Manenberg was deeply disturbing.
Allen said:
The MEC said his thoughts were especially with the 69-year-old mother who had been wounded.
“I wish her a speedy recovery. The SAPS and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed to the affected area, and they will remain on the ground until it is stabilised and law and order have been restored.”
Allen said those responsible for the shootings would have no place to hide.
Anyone with information about the shooting incidents has been urged to contact the Manenberg police on 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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