Four suspects have been arrested following a string of killings and violence in Franschhoek.

The local police along with various other provincial policing units traced suspects to the various extortion crimes in Langrug and Groendal over the last few months.

The operations, conducted last week, led to the arrest of the four suspects, provincial police confirmed on Friday 17 July.

This comes after spaza shop owners in Langrug were gunned downed with Franschhoek police connecting the killings to extortion.

ALSO READ: Spate of extortion-linked killings rocks Franschhoek

Three killed

Since the start of the year, Eikestadnuus has reported on various shootings and robberies in Franschhoek’s neighbourhoods.

In March, eight suspects were arrested following three separate robberies at local spaza shops. Two separate fatal shootings were reported in Langrug last week.

Constable Ndakhe Gwala, a provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the Franschhoek police responded to reports of a shooting at a spaza shop in Lavender Street around 19:30 on Monday 13 July.

“On arrival, they found two men who had sustained gunshot wounds. They were transported to a medical facility for treatment and were later declared deceased,” Gwala said.

Two more people were shot and initially critically injured, but later succumbed to their injuries.

On Tuesday 14 July, another shooting claimed the life of a 37-year-old man.

“Franschhoek police responded to reports of a shooting in Mazaleni Street, Langrug, on 14 July at 18:30. Upon arrival, they found a white Chevrolet bakkie in the street.

“Inside was the body of a 37-year-old man. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead by medical personnel on the scene. A case of murder was registered for investigation. The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage,” Gwala explained.

Calls for action

In light of the ongoing violence, the DA demanded that Franschhoek police receive additional support to address the crimes.

“Five people have lost their lives between 13 and 14 July,” Reginald Pheiffer, Ward 1 councillor, said in a statement. “Residents deserve to live and work in an environment where they are safe from intimidation, organised crime and violent attacks.”

He confirmed that the party had started a petition calling for immediate police intervention to address the killings.

Councillor Grechard Petersen of the GOOD party added his voice to the demand for intervention.

“The triple murder in Jakaranda Street in May and the subsequent fatal shootings in Langrug were not isolated incidents. They form part of a disturbing pattern that points to a growing safety crisis in parts of Groendal. Residents deserve more than sympathy after each shooting; they deserve a coordinated response that prevents the next tragedy,” he urged.

Petersen further called on authorities to create a multi-agency safety intervention to address the violence, adding that the response from police, Law Enforcement and community-policing structures should be focused and intelligence-driven.

“Franschhoek cannot continue to exist in two opposing realities: one of prosperity and tourism and another of recurring violence, fear and insecurity. The safety of Groendal residents must be treated with the same urgency and importance as the safety of every other resident in Stellenbosch Municipality.”

From outside Franschhoek

According to a community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear, the extortion-related killings have been occurring for sometime.

“This has been going on for months now and nothing is being done. Nearly all the shootings that have happened in Franschhoek recently have to do with extortion. “There are two extortion groups that have been threatening business owners in Franschhoek for the past few months. The thing is, these extortionists are not even from this town,” the resident said.

The community member made further shocking claims, saying that local police are aware of the extortionists and are allegedly in cahoots with them.

“The police are doing nothing to catch the people behind the recent spate of shootings. [Last] Tuesday night’s shooting had to do with the two extortion groups fighting over territory.

“One group is from Paarl and we believe the other group is from Cape Town. The group from Cape Town was behind Monday night’s shooting, and the Paarl group retaliated on Tuesday,” the resident claimed.

The four suspects, aged between 21 and 30, appeared in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court this week.

ALSO READ: Political parties condemn escalating violence in Franschhoek