Two men were shot outside Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court this morning (25 August), one of them fatally.
Station Commander Brig Brian Muller said that one man died on the scene and the second was taken to hospital.
Crime Forum chats claim that the men were both gangsters.
WO Joseph Swartbooi, the liaison officer for the provincial media office, confirmed that the motive for the shootout is suspected to be gang-related.
“The provincial anti-gang unit detectives are hard at work pursuing all the available leads at their disposal in a bid to apprehend those responsible.
Swartbooi said that the two men appeared in court that morning.
As they were leaving, at about 11:15, four armed men “surprised them and fired numerous gunshots”.
“One man did not survive the onslaught on his life whilst another was admitted to a nearby hospital with serious gunshot wounds,” Swartbooi said.
He asked anyone with information to come forward.
“The suspects fled the scene and they are yet to be arrested,” he said.
Witnesses can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the app MySAPS anonymously.
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Woman’s body found in reserve
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s Plain police have arrested one man in connection with the alleged murder of a young woman whose body was found amid the Wolfgat Nature Reserve dunes in Tafelsig.
Muller said that three more suspects are sought in connection with the murder.
Crime Watch groups say the woman’s naked body was found in the dunes next to a primary school on Thursday morning.
According to the post, the woman, whose throat had allegedly been slit, was in her late twenties.
Crackdown on weapons
On Saturday, in a separate incident, Leap officers acted on a tip-off about a man allegedly threatening people with a firearm in Lentegeur. The 29-year-old man was arrested and found in possession of two imitation firearms, three live rounds of ammunition and half a Mandrax tablet. He was detained at Lentegeur Police Station.
In response to the incident Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said: “Every week presents more examples of how deep a crisis we find ourselves facing with illicit firearms. Handguns are problematic enough as it is, but the increased use and confiscation of assault rifles is a nightmare.”
Provincial MEC for police oversight and community safety, Anroux Marais, on the other hand has commended the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies “for their continued and determined efforts in cracking down on the proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition across Cape Town”.
She said that in the last week, at least 18 unlicensed firearms had been confiscated.
“Cape Town continues to grapple with a surge in gang-related violence,” she said. “The availability of illegal weapons remains one of the most significant contributing factors to the alarming rates of gun violence and loss of life across the province.
“I acknowledge the relentless efforts of our law enforcement agencies who put their lives on the line daily to confront this challenge head-on. Their dedication is not only commendable but critical in the fight to restore safety and stability to our streets. We must, however, do more. Despite limited resources, we will never give in to gangsters and organised crime. We will continue working together with all stakeholders to tackle this scourge with urgency and determination.”
