Residents say Mitchells Plain has become a “killing field” after four people were murdered in just two days.
On Saturday after 11am, a 23-year-old man was shot in Bignonia Street, Lentegeur.
On Sunday, a triple murder took place on an open field where three unidentified males were gunned down.
The victims, aged 19 and 21 years old, had multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies.
Earlier on Sunday, a 46-year-old man was shot and wounded in Camellia Street. He was rushed to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
Deputy chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum (CPF), Ashley Potts, says they condemn these latest killings in the strongest terms.
“As the CPF we have been consulting our partners, SAPS, regarding the killings. The community is in uproar over the senseless killings along with the increased shootings that are taking place,” says Potts.
“We strongly condemned these killings and the ongoing shooting. We are calling on the community to come forward and to report these gunmen who are a minority of our community.
“We are also asking members of the community to join the local CPF structures to add to the patrols as well as the crime prevention strategies within their communities.”
Potts said parents needed to stop covering for their criminal children.
“SAPS is doing all they can with the resources available to them. We’re asking parents to stop covering up for their kids who they know are involved in these killings. We have seen enough bloodshed and we need to take back our streets and not allow these criminals to continue to hold us hostage,” he adds.
Residents, meanwhile, say they are sick of being held hostage by “vullis skollies”.
A resident, who asked not to be named, says Lentegeur has become their prison.
“We are honest and hard-working people and now we can’t even get to work without the fear of being killed,” the woman says.
“Our children could not even enjoy their school holidays, we must keep them caged in because we cannot risk their lives by letting them play outside.
“Die vullis gangsters come shoot, be it day or night, they just do not give a damn s***.
“We are ducking and
diving the bullets, but hulle kan skaars mekaar reg
uitroei,” she says.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirmed the shootings.
“Four murders and an attempted murder case have been opened for investigation. In all cases suspects are yet to be arrested and circumstances surrounding the incidents are under investigation,” Rwexana said.
robin.francke@inl.co.za