\u201cThe trauma runs deep in Ocean View; a lot of people die here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Wednesday 12 April, gunmen stormed a house in Neptune Lane, killing six men. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to provincial police spokesperson Brig Novela Potelwa, a vehicle pulled up in front of the house at approximately 10:50, the suspects walked in and fired multiple shots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFive men between the ages of 20 and 50 died at the scene while a sixth person died at a medical facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDetectives from the provincial anti-gang unit are investigating six counts of murder. The motive for the shooting is suspected to be gang-related with no arrests effected yet.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reagan Rubain, a resident who grew up in Ocean View, says residents have become desensitised to violence as it is rife in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen it happens, then it is normal. I think the sad part is that most people are over it already, life happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe fact that we live here, we are families. These are our cousins and friends and I know a few of them but not personally. It is a big tragedy when an innocent life is lost, not that it\u2019s not tragic when a gangster is killed.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rubain adds that no one cares about Ocean View or its people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is no investment in this community, nobody cares, nothing has changed. The place has just deteriorated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can go to any Cape Flats community no matter how much violence there is, there is progress like a mall being built or some kind of development, but in Ocean View there is nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are new facilities or malls going up in Khayelitsha or Mitchell\u2019s Plain, but you don\u2019t hear of any funds for the development of Ocean View.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking about his living conditions, Rubain claims he lives next to a drug den and that nothing is being done about drugs in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI live next to a drug den, and we see these things every day. There are a lot of violent and traumatised communities in the Cape Flats, but I think Ocean View is probably in the top two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cResources are limited, so it\u2019s an uphill battle because we don\u2019t receive help. It\u2019s so heartbreaking.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mansoer Ismail, chair of the Ocean View Policing Forum (CPF), said police visibility has been stepped up since the shooting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll the law enforcement units are in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere have been many shootings in Ocean View but it is the first time I experienced something like this.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He adds that police are still on the hunt for four suspects, who consisted of the driver of the vehicle and three shooters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe suspects fled in a vehicle. What we do know is that three of them were gang members from a different gang and not from Ocean View.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyone with information on the incident that can assist in expediting the police investigation is urged to contact the police on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPSApp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n