CAPE TOWN – It has been a bloody few days on the Cape Flats with more than 30 people shot and killed. Over the weekend 26 people were murdered in various parts of the city.
This includes eight people shot and killed in a shebeen in an extortion-related shooting in Marikana, Philippi on Saturday 17 January.
In the latest incident six people were murdered in two separate incidents in Ndabeni and Maitland this morning (20 January)..
Col André Traut, provincial police spokesperson, said Maitland police were alerted by a passer-by to a dog lying in a pool of blood in the early hours of this morning (20 January) in Melck Street, Ndabeni.
He said when officers arrived on the scene they discovered the bodies of three women, aged between 20 and 52, and a man lying in an informal dwelling with gun wounds.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made.”
Traut said in a separate incident four men were found with gunshot wounds at Maitland cemetery in what is believed to be a gang-related attack.
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Two men, aged 35 and 36, were declared deceased on the scene, while two others, aged 31 and 32, were transported to a medical facility for treatment.
“Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder,” explained Traut. “No arrests have yet been made.”
He said officers remain committed to pursue those responsible and to restore safety in affected communities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence on the Cape Flats and said communities can expect “stronger law enforcement and increased police visibility” to stabilise affected communities and reduce the potential for further violence.
Recognising the fear to which criminals subject residents, Ramaphosa called on communities to strengthen their partnership with law enforcement agencies.
The president assured residents that government is balancing short-term actions to prevent and respond to violence and stabilise communities, with long-term socio-economic interventions to improve social conditions and living standards.
The Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais said in a press statement communities are living in constant fear as criminals “run rampant”.
“The police must urgently resource all priority precincts and fill vacancies so that all serious crimes are solved and those responsible are prosecuted,” she said.
Premier Alan Winde and Marais will be meeting with National acting police minister Firoz Cachalia within the next three weeks to discuss urgent policing needs in the Western Cape.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
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