Gang conflict leads to fatal shooting of three men in Mitchells Plain
Police are investigating three fatalities in an alleged gang violence incident in Westridge.
Image: Sigciniwe
Three young men have been shot and killed during a shooting linked to gang conflict in Westridge, Mitchells Plain.
The triple murder comes just two weeks after the Cape Flats Safety Forum called on the removal of Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile after he claimed on national television that there were “not much” shootings in Mitchells Plain.
The call came just hours after top brass in the saps praised their teams for unearthing a shocking cache in Oak Way, Weltrevrede Estate, Lentegeur , where 19 firearms, 1 500 rounds of ammunition, three gun safes, 26 magazines, a stun grenade, a silencer, and a shooting practice target board, were being stored in cooler boxes and safes.
Meanwhile police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa said teams were called to the scene along Bonfoi and Ganzekraal Streets where the men aged between 20 and 32, were found fatally shot due to gang violence: "Western Cape Anti Gang Unit detectives are investigating a shooting incident that left three men dead in Westridge, Mitchells Plain on Wednesday evening.
“Police reports indicate the incident occurred at 8.20pm and is believed to be gang conflict related.
“The reports further suggest that the victims aged 20, 23 and 32 were shot by yet-to-be identified gunmen who fired multiple shots at the deceased men and fled in a vehicle. The suspects are yet to be arrested. "
Anyone with information that will assist in expediting the police investigation is urged to contact the police on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app. Any information shared will be handled in strict confidentiality.
The murder scene in Mitchells Plain which claimed the lives of three men.
Image: Supplied
Lynn Philipps of the Cape Flats Safety Forum said they were disturbed by the sporadic shootings and is calling on the area to be stabilised.
Patekile and Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia recently with met the community and police structures to iron out their concerns and find solutions.
“We are strongly of the opinion that we really need SANDF as a force multiplier as we've been requesting now for months, we feel too many young people are dying and too much blood flowing down our streets daily,” she said.
“We acknowledge that police is trying everything in their power with limited resources but it's now the time for authorities to make that informed decision.
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