Gangs 'too clever' for SANDF and SAPS as seven more killed in Mitchells Plain
Town Centre was rocked by a mass shooting on Tuesday when seven people were shot, including three children aged 6, 12, and 13 years.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
Gangs on the Cape Flats seem to be too clever for the army and police, according to the Mitchells Plain United Residents Association (MURA).
This, as Town Centre was rocked by a mass shooting on Tuesday when seven people were shot, including three children aged 6, 12, and 13 years.
The Western Cape SAPS’s Anti-Gang Unit is investigating five counts of attempted murder and two counts of murder when shots rang out at Hazeldene taxi rank at around 2:35pm.
Police spokesperson, Andre Traut, said: “It is reported that unknown suspects opened fire on a group of people, fatally wounding two men, aged 20 and 22. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. Two adult males and three children were shot and wounded and taken to hospital for treatment. The motive for the attack is not yet known. The suspects fled the scene and no arrests have been made.”
He added that in a separate incident in Merrydale Street, Portlands, a 26-year-old man was shot and killed by unknown suspects who fled the scene in a vehicle.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene. This incident is believed to be gang-related.
Since the deployment of the SA National Defence Force a week ago in a collaborative intervention with SAPS and City law enforcement named Operation Prosper, the shootings and murders across various communities on the Cape have continued.
Michael Jacobs, chairperson for MURA, said they are questioning how effective the army is in combating gang-related gun violence.
“This is not the first incident. On Monday night, we had a murder in Eastridge. On Sunday, we had a murder in Westridge.
“What we have seen is that although the army has been active in Mitchells Plain, shootings and gang killings continue with impunity.
“We condemn the killings within the Mitchells Plain area, and we ask that the community rally together with the police to stem gun violence, which is killing our community members.
Community leaders question the effectiveness of the SANDF and SAPS as gang-related violence continues to plague Mitchells Plain.
Image: Phiri Cawe
“We need to question the role of the army. If the army has been deployed to Mitchells Plain, then why do we have shootings and gang killings?
“We are sceptical about the presence of the army because as soon as the army leaves the area, then the shootings start again and gangs are again active in the area.
“So, how effective is the planning between the South African Police Service, the army, and other Law Enforcement agencies from the city to be proactive within our communities?
“Why is it that they can’t really find all the guns?
“They are on raids, but as soon as they leave, it seems like guns are easily accessible.
“The army can’t just focus and try to stabilise one area; they need to have multiple operations to try and confront the gang situation.
“You can’t have the army in one place, then shootings happen in another area.”
In response, police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said:
"A review of the crime landscape indicates that much still needs to be done to stabilise these areas. With continued determination, the forces will persist in targeting identified hotspots in search of firearms, ammunition, and drugs, which are regarded as key drivers of crime. Operation Prosper is expected to yield the desired results, and a detailed overview of successes achieved will be communicated in due course."
Potelwa said Operation Prosper was guided by crime pattern analysis.
"We have set our sights on executing intelligence-driven operations in problematic hotspots that have previously experienced shooting incidents resulting in murders and attempted murders, with communities playing an active role by sharing vital information on firearms, drugs, extortion, and manifestations of gang-related crime."
Police are appealing to anyone with any information about this shooting incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.