Manhunt launched after four people shot dead in Philippi East
Police have launched a manhunt after four people were shot and killed in Philippi East on Saturday night, weeks after another deadly mass shooting in the Marikana informal settlement.
Image: File
Police have launched a manhunt after four people, including a woman, were shot and killed in Philippi East on Saturday night.
According to police, the shooting happened at about 9:30pm in the Marikana informal settlement on Disa Road.
Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said Philippi East police opened murder and attempted murder cases after the incident.
“Reports from the scene indicate that two gunmen entered the yard at approximately 9:30pm and fired several shots,” Potelwa said.
Three men and a woman were killed in the attack.
Another woman was injured during the shooting but reportedly left the scene before police arrived.
Provincial serious and violent crime detectives have taken over the investigation.
“No arrests have been effected yet and a manhunt has been launched for the perpetrators,” Potelwa said.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The latest killings come weeks after another deadly shooting in the Marikana informal settlement. In that incident, nine people were killed and one injured when gunmen opened fire inside a shebeen in the early hours of January 17.
A 19-year-old suspect, Bheki Manxiwa, later appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court facing nine counts of murder, attempted murder and two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The matter was postponed to February for further investigation and the compilation of a full bail profile, with the State indicating it would oppose bail.
Authorities have not yet confirmed a possible motive for Saturday night’s shooting.