FRANSCHHOEK – Residents of Langrug in Franschhoek are living in fear following two separate fatal shootings on Monday (13 July) and Tuesday (14 July) in the area.

Const Ndakhe Gwala, a spokesperson for the Western Cape police, has confirmed both tragic incidents. With regards to Monday’s incident Gwala said Franschhoek police responded to reports of a shooting at about 19:30 in Lavender Street at a spaza shop.

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

Two more people were shot and were initially critically injured but have since succumbed to their injuries, added Gwala.

The motive for the shooting, according to Gwala,is extortion related and the suspects are yet to be arrested.

In response to Tuesday evening’s incident Gwala said the investigation is underway.

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

“He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.

“A case of murder was registered for investigation and the motive for the attack is unknown at this stage.”

A member of the community has since opened up to Paarl Post regarding both incidents. The person, who would like to remain anonymous, also confirmed that Monday evening’s murders are extortion related.

“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 have 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.

The community member continued to make dumbfounding claims saying local police are well aware of the extortionists and that they are in cahoots.

“The police are doing nothing to catch these people behind the recent spade of shootings. Tuesday night’s shooting has got 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 is behind Monday night’s shooting and then on Tuesday the Paarl group retaliated.”

The Western Cape Provincial Serious Violent Crime (SVC) detectives have launched an investigation into the deadly shooting incidents.

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 Monday’s shooting is contradicting. Police say the incident took place in Lavender Street. On the other hand local paramedic Kurt Maske, who responded together with Franschhoek First Responders (FFR) to the shooting, says there were two shootings. FFR confirmed in a statement that there were two separate crime scenes on Monday – one in Sunflower Street where two people were shot and one in Upper Lee Street where another two people were shot. All this information contradicts what the police say, who claims there was only one crime scene.

The victims include three Ethiopians and one Malawian national.

Gwala says anyone with information about Monday’s incident is kindly requested to contact the extortion toll-free number on 0800 31 44 44. Alternatively, anyone with information about both incidents is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop anonymously on 08600 10111.