Lingelethu West police have opened a murder case after an unidentified man was shot and killed near a spaza shop in Ilitha Park, Khayelitsha on Thursday 16 April.
No arrests have been made and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Unidentified man killed in Khayelitsha shooting
Provincial police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukazi said officers responded to a complaint about a shooting on Msobomvu Street in Ilitha Park at approximately 9:00am. “Upon arrival, they found the body of an unidentified man with gunshot wounds.”
He was declared dead at the scene,” said Mpendukazi.
A local resident, who asked not to be named for fear of harassment, said he believed the attackers may have known the victim.
“According to the Somali shop owner, the deceased was buying something when the assailants attacked him. They shot him several times and fled the scene. They did not take his car or wallet, which makes me think they knew him,” he said.
Community suspects link to extortion in Khayelitsha shooting
The resident further speculated that the victim may have been linked to extortion activities in the area.
“I don’t think it was a robbery. He might have been one of the extortionists, possibly collecting money from the shop. Our community is under siege from extortionists,” he said.
He added that people who saw the body before it was covered did not recognise the victim and believe he was not from the area.
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Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report anonymously via the MySAPS app.
