A man has been found dead with multiple gunshot wounds on an open field in Strandfontein, the fifth person killed in the suburb in under a week.

Police were called to a shooting in Garden Lane on Thursday night at about 23:00. On arrival they found the body of a man whose age is unknown and who had no fixed address. He had multiple gunshot wounds to his body, said Lieutenant Colonel FC van Wyk, who heads the provincial police media centre.

The motive is believed to be gang-related. Circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation and no arrest has been made.

Wave of killings

The latest death follows four killings in Strandfontein over four days this and last week. The shootings took place across three streets within about 4 km of each other.

The fourth victim, a 26-year-old man, was found with multiple gunshot wounds on Korvette Road on Monday at about 20:45. The killings began on Friday and continued on Saturday.

Police have said the incidents are gang-related but have not formally confirmed a gang war. The anti-gang unit, a specialist police team that focuses on gang crime, and experienced detectives have investigated the scenes.

Community response

City Metro Police deployed officers to the area, particularly around schools. Community policing forums, neighbourhood safety officers and the City’s safety and security team have been involved in efforts to stabilise the situation.

Ward councillor Elton Jansen said the Strandfontein Police Station Commander had assured him police were doing everything possible to address the shootings.

A community interfaith prayer meeting was due to take place on Tuesday evening at Blou Dakke, on the corner of Church and Dennegeur streets, to pray for affected families and call for peace.

Appeal for information

Anyone with information about the latest shooting is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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