The Western Cape Provincial Serious Violent Crime (SVC) detectives have launched an investigation into a deadly shooting incident that took place in Franschhoek on Monday (13 July) evening.

Const Ndakhe Gwala, a spokesperson for the Western Cape police, confirmed the fatal shooting at a spaza shop in Lavender Street.

“Franschhoek police responded to reports of a shooting at about 19:30 and on arrival they found two men who had sustained gunshot wounds. They were transported to a medical facility for treatment and later declared deceased.”

Two more people were shot and critically injured in the same incident, according to Gwala.

“The motive for the shooting is extortion-related and the suspects are yet to be arrested.

In the meantime, local paramedic Kurt Maske, who responded together with Franschhoek First Responders, says all four victims have succumbed to their injuries although the police indicates otherwise. Maske also added that it was two separate shooting incidents, which allegedly took place in Lavender Street and Sunflower Street. Two people were shot in each of the two separate incidents.

A member of the community has since also reached out to Paarl Post with regards to the incident. The person, who would like to remain anonymous, also confirmed that the murders are extortion-related and that there was only one shooting, which took place at a Spaza Shop in Lavender Street.

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

On 17 May this year three people were also killed and two seriously injured after two gunmen opened fire at a home in Jakaranda Street in Franschhoek. This shooting is also under investigation by SVC detectives.

At this stage information surrounding the death toll of the recent incident is contradicting, although the community member added that three victims passed away and would be buried on Tuesday (14 July) in accordance with the Muslim religion. The victims include three Ethiopians and one Malawian national.

No arrests have been made yet. Gwala says anyone with information about the incident is kindly requested to contact the extortion toll free number on 0800 31 44 44.

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