Seven people were shot and two killed in two separate shooting incidents in Mitchells Plain yesterday.

Three children, a six-year-old girl and two boys aged 12 and 13, were injured in the first shooting at Hazeldene taxi rank.

According to crime watch groups on social media, the shootings on Tuesday 7 April were retaliatory between two rival gangs.

Police spokesperson, Col Andre Traut, said the Anti-Gang Unit are investigating two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder following the shootings.

Traut said that the incident occurred at about 14:35 but according to crime watch groups and the Community Police Forum (CPF), the first shooting had occurred in the morning hours. “It is reported that unknown suspects opened fire on a group of people, fatally wounding two men aged 20 and 22. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. Two adult males and three children, including a six-year-old girl and two boys aged 12 and 13, were injured and taken to hospital for treatment,” Traut said.

According to police the motive for the attack is not yet known and the shooters fled the scene but crime watch groups have reported from sources on the ground that the shooting was a gang hit.

Retaliation

Allegedly in retaliation, later that day, a 26-year-old man was shot dead in Merrydale Avenue, Portland. According to Traut, the man was shot multiple times by unidentified gunmen who fled the scene in a car.

“The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene. This incident is believed to be gang-related,” he said.

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Crime watch groups say the man had been shot in retaliation for the violence earlier yesterday.

“Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating both cases,” Traut said.

Time difference

According to Strandfontein CPF chair, Sandy Schuter, the first shooting had taken place in the morning hours while the second shooting took place shortly before 15:00.

She said the second shooting took place on the corner of Baakens Way and Merrydale Avenue, which is in a residential area behind the Promenade Mall, a short distance from where the first shooting took place.

Traut said: “SAPS condemns these senseless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms, especially where innocent members of the community, including children, are caught in the crossfire. Such incidents have no place in our communities, and every available resource is being utilised to track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or make use of the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.