Residents of Kayamandi endured a night of terror when three shootings occurred within mere hours of one another, leaving three dead last week.

In the first incident, Stellenbosch police responded the call on Thursday 27 August at 23:30. A complaint had come through of a shooting in Forest Drive, Kayamandi, where an unknown man was found lying face-down.

On inspection the man was found with bullet wounds and was declared dead by emergency personnel on the scene.

On Friday at 00:15, police officers on patrol were stopped by a woman who said her brother had been shot. When officers arrived they found the man with multiple bullet wounds to his body and head and he was also declared on the scene.

Grim find near school

Half an hour later, a third person’s body was found by police near Kayamandi Primary School. The complaint registered had alerted police to a person lying in the road at the school, but officers arrived to find an unknown man lying on his back with gunshot wounds to the head. He was declared dead by emergency personnel.

Three cases of murder were opened in all three instances and are under investigation. No arrests had been made.

Last week’s shootings were the tip of the iceberg in the township this past year.

Information sought

July also ended on a bloody note after gun violence saw four people fatally gunned down and four more, including two police officers, wounded.

Stellenbosch police appealed to all residents to take a stand against murder and violent crimes in their communities.

“If you have witnessed a murder, have information about one or know persons who are involved in serious criminal activities, please report the information to the police,” Captain Nathalie Martin, Stellenbosch police spokesperson, urged.

“Your information could help save lives and bring perpetrators to justice. Together we can help make our communities safer. Speak up, report crime and save lives.”

• Report information anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Alternatively, to any other crimes, call Stellenbosch police on 021 809 5015 or 082 522 1912.