Gang violence flares up in Manenberg precinct
This screengrab of a video shared by Ward 50 councillor, Angus McKenzie, shows the scene after a high speed chase by SAPS and Metro Police, led to the arrests of two men allegedly linked to a gang shooting in Heideveld on Monday morning.
Manenberg and Heideveld residents are living in fear after gang violence in the Manenberg police precinct flared up again.
The shooting started in the area last week, with daily reports of murder and attempted murder since then.
On Monday December 5, after a high speed chase which resulted in a collision with a Metro Police vehicle, two men, aged 28 and 32 years, were arrested for attempted murder, the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition and for being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle. This followed a shooting in Linda Court, Heideveld, which left two men wounded.
According to Manenberg SAPS spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett, two men, aged 21 and 25 years, were shot at 8am on Monday December 5 in Linda Court.
“Both SAPS and Metro Police officers responded and saw a black vehicle speeding away from the shooting scene. A high speed chase took the officers through Vanguard Estate, and on the corner of Myn and Fourth Street, Vanguard Estate, they saw the occupants throw a firearm from the fast moving vehicle. The Metro Police officers stopped to retrieve the firearm while the high speed chase continued. The suspects drove their vehicle down Jakes Gerwel and collided with a Metro Police vehicle after it failed to stop on the corner of Jakes Gerwel and Bluegum Road, Bonteheuwel,” Captain Bennett said.
He applauded the work of the officers, adding that hot spot areas have been saturated with additional policing resources.
“This is good work done by the officers with our efforts to combat and break the back of gang violence in the Manenberg policing precinct. Both suspects are gang-affiliated. The tightened grip of law enforcement has paid off, as demonstrated by these arrests,” he added.
The car was reported stolen in a Goodwood case. A 9mm pistol with the serial numbers filed off and nine rounds of ammunition were recovered and handed in as evidence, and will be sent for ballistic testing.
Brigadier Sanele Zama called on the community to stop attacking SAPS members when they executed operational duties.
“There is a tendency from the community to attack police officers when they affect arrests, causing the perpetrator to evade arrest. This behaviour needs to stop as it puts SAPS members at risk of injury,” Brigadier Zama said.
On Sunday December 4, a 21-year-old man was shot dead in Gail Court, Manenberg. On Saturday December 3, another 21-year-old man was shot and killed and seven others injured during a drive-by shooting in Audrey Court.
Anyone with information regarding any illegal gang activities can contact Manenberg SAPS at 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.