Two sisters were killed and a pupil injured in a shooting outside Portland Primary School yesterday.
Crimewatch groups were awash with reports on the incident, which allegedly took place as children were exiting the school on Thursday 6 November, at 15:00.
Reports say that the two women identified as Zainab and Gouwa were collecting their brother’s child, who was in their care, when their brother arrived and opened fire.
Contacts on the group allege that the violence was as a result of a custody dispute.
A video taken at the scene, circulating on WhatsApp, shows a woman lying slumped in the back seat of a car while blood pools on the tar.
According to Sergeant Wesley Twigg, spokesperson for the police’s provincial media office, crime scene experts were at the scene.
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He said that Mitchell’s Plain police responded to the shooting where the two women, aged 26 and 30, had been shot. He said a 12-year-old boy was wounded in the shooting.
“According to reports the victims were approached by a relative who opened fire on them. The 26-year-old female was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel, while the other two victims were transported to a medical facility for treatment where the 30-year-old female was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The motive for the attack is believed to be domestic related.”
Twigg said a man, aged 32, was arrested. “Mitchell’s Plain detectives are investigating murder and attempted murder cases,” he said.
Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum chair, Norman Janjies, confirmed that the incident was a family dispute and “not gang-related”.
“We were very disturbed to hear about the shooting incident,” he said. “Fortunately the perpetrator was arrested. We trust that the family of the deceased will receive the necessary counselling and support whilst the police also does a speedy investigation.”
‘Things could have easily gotten out of hand’
Janjies thanked Portland Neighbourhood Watch and law enforcement for their assistance at the crime scene.
“Things could have easily gotten out of hand, so we want to thank all of them,” he said.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said the learner who was injured has been discharged.
“Reports indicate that two members of a foster family were targeted,” she said, confirming that the alleged shooter and victims were related.
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”The perpetrator was allegedly a sibling,” she said.
“In addition, an innocent bystander, a Grade 6 learner, was also injured and was taken to hospital. He has been discharged,” she said.
She added that department officials were on the scene to provide support.
“Counselling support has been arranged for all learners. This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved,” she said.
