Five dead, seven injured: Police ramp up search for shooters in Mitchell's Plain
Police have deployed additional resources in response to the suspected gang violence that claimed the lives of five people in Mitchells Plain on Thursday.
Image: SAPS
In a shocking escalation of violence, Western Cape police have launched a manhunt following a series of brutal shootings in Mitchell’s Plain on Thursday, which left five people dead and seven others wounded across multiple locations.
Police spokesperson, Novela Potelwa, confirmed that multidisciplinary deployments have been bolstered to prevent further occurrences.
The first shooting that claimed the lives of two people and left three wounded at about 12:30pm occurred at a tuck-shop in Beacon Valley.
“Also in Beacon Valley, four other persons were shot at another tuck shop. One died and three were wounded. In the third shooting incident, another person was shot and injured, also in Beacon Valley” said Potelwa.
Two more people were shot dead in Tafelsig and Town Centre.
“All incidents are believed to be gang related. Murder and attempted murder cases have been opened, and Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating the incidents.
"As the manhunt for the perpetrators continues, no arrests have been affected yet,” she said.
Meanwhile, safety and security mayco member JP Smith said the City is also deploying additional resources to Mitchell's Plain to support the SAPS.
“We have availed nearly 60 members from LEAP, the Metro Police Tactical Response Unit and the Traffic Services’ Roadblock Unit. Our operational management are working closely with SAPS on this matter and we will avail any other resources where needed so that calm may be restored. Also critical is to find the perpetrators behind these heinous acts,” he said.
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