Fear grips Manenberg after shooting of alleged Hard Livings gang member

Residents in Manenberg are bracing for an all-out war in their community after an alleged Hard Livings gangster was shot in a hail of bullets on Thursday morning.

The incident - which occurred on the corner of Manenberg and Thames Avenue - saw many witnesses at the scene.

According to bystanders, the alleged gangster was found riddled with bullets behind the driver’s seat in a vehicle while an innocent person was shot and taken to hospital.

They added that it is alleged that the man had given the other person, who is known in the community as an electrician, was given a lift up the road. 

According to reports, one car had pulled up in front and another behind. Three gunmen allegedly came out and shot them in the vehicle.

It is alleged that the well-known gangster used to buy the community food, electricity and help with funerals.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “Manenberg police registered two counts of murder following a shooting early on Thursday, January 15, at 7am in Thames Avenue, Manenberg, in which two males aged 50 and 53 were shot and fatally wounded.

“Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. Circumstances surrounding this shooting incident are under investigation.

“The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”

One community member, who asked not to be named, said the shooting happened outside a creche and that teachers were at school already when the incident started.

They said: “They also shoot when the children come out of school and now that Ramadan is coming up in February, they also shoot around that time.”

Another person said: “I think it was planned all along with the first shooting earlier in the month there by the field near Lynne Road. I think it’s all about controlling more territory also.”

A third person said that they fear there is going to be a serious gang fight.

“I was saying on Monday, they are just waiting for school to start and they will start shooting. On Monday the gangsters here, the HL’s, were already walking up and down.”

This is the third shooting reported in Manenberg this week. 

It follows the gunning down of an alleged Fancy Boys gangster outside the police station, while a teen runaway was gunned down on Wednesday inside a shack near a canal.

Manenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) Public Relations Officer Abdurahman Govind said that meetings have been held with SAPS to appeal for more visibility especially given that schools have re-opened.

Govind said: “We also appeal with the community to come forward with any information.”

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