Elsies River parents are concerned about the safety of their children after two separate shooting incidents in the middle of the day left three people dead on Wednesday.
Communities such as Eureka Estate, Clarke Estate, Uitsig, Ravensmead and surrounding areas have been under siege from continuous gun violence.
School learners had to scramble to safety when a 27-year-old man was gunned down in an alleged gang-related shooting in Gladiola Street at 2.10pm when returning from the shop.
Earlier in the day, two people aged 30 and 40 years were also gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Eureka Estate around 12.30pm on the corner of 40th and 42nd Avenue.
Residents are fearing for their lives and one parent is hoping that her kids will stay indoors during the school holidays as the gangsters run riot on the streets.
The parent said: “I am a bit relieved that the schools are closing, but we still have people who need to go to work early and come back safe.
“When they are not shooting, they are targeting the cars, smash-and-grab and throwing cars with stones.”
Another added: “They shoot at any time. I have to fetch my children from school and be vigilant always because they don’t care if it is children or adults, they shoot.
“We stay in the house but we are still not safe because bullets travel and we need to go to the shop and they like standing on the corners.”
Police say that additional boots on the ground have been deployed in the Ravensmead policing precinct.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi reported: “Ravensmead police responded to a complaint on Wednesday June 18 2025. Upon their arrival in Gladiola Street at about 2.10pm, they found the body of a man who sustained a gunshot wound.
“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. Reports suggested that the victim returned from a local spaza shop when an unknown gunman opened fire, fatally wounding the 27-year-old man.
“The motive for this attack is believed to be gang-related. The unknown suspect fled the scene and is yet to be arrested.”
Of the drive-by shooting, Sergeant Wesley Twigg said that SAPS detectives are investigating two counts of murder.
He confirmed: “Police members responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival on the scene they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene...”
According to reports a white Toyota Corolla drove up to the victims and opened fire.
Cape Argus