Police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old man, whose body was found in Lotus River this morning, in a shooting that saw four other men sustain gunshot wounds in the crossfire.
A total of nine people have been shot in the two areas so far this week, and five of them are dead.
Grassy Park police responded to a complaint of a shooting in Fifth Avenue, Lotus River, and on their arrival on the scene found the body of a young man (20), who was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.
“Four other men between the ages of 20 and 72 sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to a medical facility,” said police spokesperson Sgt Wesley Twigg. “The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and arrests are yet to be made.”
Murder and attempted-murder cases were registered for investigation.
Ward 65 councillor Donovan Nelson told People’s Post that urgent intervention is required to clamp down on the shootings and violence plaguing the area.
Yesterday the police’s Anti-Gang Unit confirmed its members were investigating the deaths of four men who were gunned down in Overcome Heights, Muizenberg. (“Fatal Muizenberg shooting,” 13 August, People’s Post).
“This brazen act of violence, carried out in broad daylight, has once again highlighted the urgent need for decisive action to address gang-related shootings in the Grassy Park precinct,” Nelson said. “As ward councillor, I am deeply concerned about the safety of our residents, workers and especially our children. Communities such as Lotus River, Parkwood, Ottery and Pelican Park are living under constant threat from criminal elements that show no regard for human life.”
Nelson launched a community-led petition calling on the Grassy Park Community Policing Forum to urgently convene a public meeting with the police.
“The goal is clear: we need the police to present a transparent and detailed plan for increasing resources, improving visible policing and restoring public confidence. This must happen with urgency and full community involvement. Our residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and at their places of work. I will continue to push for immediate action and will work with all stakeholders to ensure safety and order are restored.”
Asked whether there were any new developments in the investigation into the Overcome Heights shooting, police spokesperson Col André Traut replied: “There are now new developments to share at this stage.”
As gun violence continues to grip the Cape Flats, the Nyanga Sub-District Community Police Forum (CPF) Board launched the #SilenceTheGuns campaign at Phoenix High School to raise awareness about the devastating impact of illegal firearms in the communities.
The launch, on Saturday 9 August, was attended by about 300 people, including various neighbourhood watches, police and law enforcement. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
To sign the petition visit https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-the-shootings-grassy-park-police-station.
