Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit (PSVCU) detectives have initiated a manhunt for four suspects who took the lives of three males aged 18 to 21 in Sheffield Road, Brown’s Farm, Nyanga and attempted to kill five others on Wednesday 11 September.
The shooting happened around 13:00 and the motive is unknown. However, according to one resident, it could be extortion-related.The resident, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, said the suspects “came out of nowhere” and opened fire on those inside the barber’s premises.
“I believe the shooting is extortion-related,” the resident alleged, “for it is no secret extortion is rife in Philippi.”
The source added that extortionists targeted Somali shops and residents were concerned about their lives. She urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy soldiers to the area to stop the killings.
Provincial police spokesperson Col André Traut confirmed the incident, saying PSVCU detectives had initiated a manhunt.
“An initial investigation has revealed that four armed men approached the eight victims at around 13:15 at the barbershop, where two were shot and killed on the scene,” Traut related.
“Six men were admitted to hospital and on arrival the third male succumbed to his wounds. We have reason to believe the incident has been sparked by revenge, but as our investigation unfolds the modus operandi will be determined in a bid to get to the bottom of these multiple murders and these attempted murders.”
