Franschhoek. – Two political parties have added their voices to the outcry from the Groendal and Langrug communities following a series of shootings in the area.

This comes after a series of shootings in Groendal, specifically targeting spaza shops. According to community members, extortion is behind the killings. Since the start of this year, Eikestad News 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 on Monday (13 July) and Tuesday (14 July) in Langrug. Constable Ndakhe Gwala, a spokesperson for the Western Cape police, confirmed both incidents.

On Monday, Gwala said Franschhoek police responded to reports of a shooting at a spaza shop in Lavender Street at about 19:30.

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

She confirmed that the motive for the shooting was extortion-related.

The next day, another shooting in the neighbourhood left a 37-year-old man dead.

“Franschhoek police responded to reports of a shooting in Mazaleni Street, Langrug, on Tuesday 14 July, at about 18:30. Upon arrival, they found a white Chevrolet bakkie on the street. Inside was the body of a 37-year-old man.

“He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel. A case of murder was registered for investigation and the motive for the attack is unknown at this stage,” she explained.

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A community member who spoke to Novus News and who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the killings were extortion-related.

“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,” said the terrified community member.

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. 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 on Tuesday, the Paarl group retaliated,” the community member claimed.

Violence condemned

In light of the ongoing violence, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded that Franschhoek police receive additional support to address the crimes.

“Five people have lost their lives between 13 and 14 July,” Reginald Pheiffer, councillor for Stellenbosch Municipality’s ward 1, said in a statement on Thursday (16 July). “Residents deserve to live and work in an environment where they are safe from intimidation, organised crime and violent attacks.”

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

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

“The triple murder in Jakaranda Street in May and the subsequent fatal shooting 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,” Petersen urged.

He urged authorities to create a multi-agency safety intervention to address the violence. Petersen said the response from police, municipal 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.”

Residents are also urged to assist police by providing information about the shootings and other local criminal activities.