CAPE TOWN – Leaders from Makhaza and Harare have expressed mixed feelings following two separate shooting incidents in the areas on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 May in which six people were fatally wounded. However, both leaders agreed that the government needs to deploy more army personnel in Khayelitsha.
The first incident took place at Nkonkxa Street in Makhaza where three men believed to be related were shot and killed while inside a shack. In a separate incident, three men were allegedly shot and killed at a shebeen in Endlovini informal settlement, Harare, in the early hours of Monday.
A community leader from Makhaza, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of harassment, said tensions remain high following the incident.
Khayelitsha shootings leave residents living in fear
He did not mince his words, saying more soldiers need to be deployed in Khayelitsha. He said residents are living in fear.
“I am a community leader, but I am scared to speak openly. Khayelitsha as a whole is dangerous, and that is no secret. Anything can happen here. Imagine, three men were shot and killed inside a house. It is a clear indication that they were targeted. That was not a mistake,” he said.
He urged police officers not to leave any stone unturned in their investigation.
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Community leaders blame illegal shebeens for rising violence
Another community leader from Harare, who also requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, blamed the shebeen owner for allegedly trading after hours.
“Law enforcement agencies need to impose stricter penalties on illegal shebeens. We cannot have a shebeen operating at 01:00, especially during times when unknown people are randomly shooting innocent residents. I think the government needs to deploy more soldiers in addition to police officers in our communities,” he said, adding that Khayelitsha is one of the crime hotspots in the metro.
Police investigate separate Khayelitsha shootings
Provincial police spokesperson Col André Traut said officers are investigating two separate shooting incidents in Makhaza and Endlovini, Harare, in which six men were killed within hours of each other.
“In the first incident, three men aged between 20 and 24 were shot and killed inside an informal dwelling in Nkonkxa Street, Makhaza, on Sunday evening at about 19:30. Family members reportedly heard gunshots and found the victims with gunshot wounds inside the structure.
“In a second incident, three adult males in their thirties were shot at a shebeen in Endlovini during the early hours of Monday morning at about 01:38. The victims later succumbed to their injuries at a medical facility,” said Traut.
He said the suspects in both incidents fled the scene and have not yet been arrested, while the motives remain under investigation.
Traut said police management has assured the affected communities that every available resource will be utilised to trace and apprehend those responsible.
Law enforcement intensifies operations after Khayelitsha fatal shootings
“A team of experienced detectives attached to the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit has been tasked with pursuing all available leads and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought before court. Police deployments and operations have also been increased in the affected areas to stabilise the situation and prevent further violence.
“Anyone with information is requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or make use of the MySaps mobile application anonymously,” he said.
