Police have launched a manhunt for four suspects after a shooting in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, late last night (Wednesday, 30 September), claimed the lives of four people.

Three men were initially declared dead on the scene and a critically injured woman was admitted to hospital, but Lentegeur police station spokesperson Const Navon Van Houten confirmed that the woman succumbed to her injuries this morning (Thursday 1 October).

Details at the scene

Police spokesperson Col. Andrè Traut said police responded to reports of a shooting in Blombos Street at about 23:15.

“On arrival, members found two men with gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene,” said Col. Traut.

He said a third man, who had also been shot, was found in Eisleben Road after apparently fleeing from the shooters. He was also pronounced dead.

Armed suspects fled the scene

Col. Traut said it was alleged that four armed suspects, travelling in a white Nissan Almera with tinted windows, approached the victims and opened fire before fleeing the area.

“The motive for the shooting has not yet been established and forms part of the ongoing investigation,” he said. “Police are also following up on information about a possible gang-related motive.”

Detectives from the Anti-Gang Unit are investigating the four murders.

Col. Traut said the detectives were following up on all available information and searching the area for possible CCTV footage and witnesses who could help identify the suspects.

Call for information

Western Cape police head, Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi, expressed concern over the loss of life and called on investigators to quickly identify and arrest those responsible.

Anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the suspects was urged to contact the investigating officer or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information could also be provided anonymously through the MySAPS mobile app.

Guns found

Meanwhile, Lentegeur police found a firearm and live ammunition during a search at a house in New Woodlands on Thursday, 1 October.

Police said the crime prevention unit received a tip-off that firearms were being kept at a house in Hans Aschenborn Street.

They obtained a search warrant and raided the house.

Inside, they found a 9mm firearm with a magazine containing 14 live rounds.

Police continued searching the house and found an extended magazine with 24 live rounds inside.

Arrest

A 40-year-old man was arrested and was due to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 October.

Tafelsig raid

During an earlier raid, anti-gang unit members arrested two men in separate incidents in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, after a tip-off from the community.

Police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana confirmed the arrests on Thursday 24 September in a press statement.

First arrest

Mpendukana said, officers followed up on information about a suspected firearm at house in Santa Barbara Street, Tafelsig. After a thorough search, a 28-year-old man was arrested for the illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a prohibited firearm after four rounds of ammunition and a firearm were found in his house.

Second arrest

The operation led members to another house in the same street, where they found a firearm and 11 rounds of ammunition during a search. A 36-year-old man was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

Court appearance

Both suspects are due to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court once they have been charged.

ALSO READ: Two killed, one wounded in Tafelsig shooting