The community of Lavender Hill in Cape Town is reeling in shock as gang violence persists and its streets continue to bleed.
In the latest incident, two teenagers were gunned down during a drive-by shooting on Tuesday, December 17.
Videos of the teenagers’ battered bodies were shared on social media. The children were aged 13 and 17.
The area has been plagued with gang violence for months and gangs continue to fight for power.
Speaking to IOL, the newly elected chairperson of the Steenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF), Nicola Small said they strongly condemned the incident.
“We strongly condemn the violence of last night. Especially since it's perpetrated against children. We support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the investigation and appeal to anyone with information to contact Steenberg SAPS or Crime Stop,” Small said.
The provincial police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed the shooting incident.
He said the shooting took place just before 7pm in Hilary Drive, Lavender Hill.
“SAPS members on duty responded to a call of two persons, one male and one female, who had been shot at the mentioned address,” van Wyk said.
“On their arrival, they found the bodies of a 13-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the head and a 17-year-old male with gunshot wounds to the head and both legs. The victims were declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.”
The motive is believed to be gang-related.
“It’s alleged that a white Toyota Corolla with unknown suspects inside shot at them in a drive-by shooting. Motive is believed to be gang-related,” van Wyk said.
“Currently, there is gang conflict between local gang groupings. We appeal to anyone with information about this fatal incident to kindly contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or through MySAPS mobile application anonymously.”
IOL