A FESTIVE WAR ON GUNS - Masemola vows that SAPS will do all they can to keep the streets safe, despite it going gerook on the Flats

NATIONAL Commissioner of Police Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola has vowed to continue the fight against gun violence as the Cape Flats bleeds red this Christmas. 

With fatal shootings reported in Westridge, Mitchells Plain and Valhalla Park on Monday night and Tuesday morning respectively, Masemola insisted cops are working hard to make mense feel safer during the festive period.    

Masemola said: “As SAPS management, we are convinced that this operational plan this festive season is effective and should be maintained for safer holidays,” he said.

“Gun violence seems to be on the rise, and this means we must intensify our efforts to remove these illegal firearms from our streets.”

This follows the announcement of 400 new SAPS officers in the Western Cape by MEC for Community Safety Anroux Marais. 

However, some families are in mourning and planning funerals. 

During the early hours of Tuesday morning around 5.50am, a 44-year-old man was gunned down in Agnes Street, Valhalla Park.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that the circumstances surrounding what led to this shooting is under investigation.

Van Wyk confirmed: “This morning at about 5.50am, Bishop Lavis SAPS members responded to a shooting incident in front of a premises in Agnes Street, Valhalla Park. 

“Upon their arrival they found the body of a 44-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Bishop Lavis police registered a murder case for further investigation. Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”

In Westridge on Monday, a 26-year-old man was gunned down in Constantia Street in a drive-by.

Van Wyk said that the motive for this shooting is believed to be gang-related.

Van Wyk explained: “On Monday night at 10.50pm Mitchells Plain SAPS members attended to a shooting incident in front of a premises in Constantia Street Westridge, Mitchells Plain.

“On the scene, members found a 26-year-old male who had multiple gunshot wounds to his head and back. The victim was declared dead on the scene.

“According to reports a red Mazda 323 drove up and down the street and stopped in front of the mentioned address.

“One of the occupants got out of the vehicle, walked to the house and was about to get back in the vehicle, when the victim came walking towards the house and the suspect started shooting at the victim, wounding him fatally. They then fled the scene in the Mazda.

“Motive is believed to be gang-related.”

Police are appealing to anyone with information about this shooting incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.