Shock waves rippled through the Athlone community after a nine-month-old baby girl was among three people gunned down in an attack in Bridgetown last night.
On Tuesday, February 1,7 at 10pm, police responded to reports of a shooting at Sunbird Court.
Police found two women, aged 25 and 36, with gunshot wounds. A nine-month-old baby was also shot, transported to the hospital, and declared dead on arrival.
Two men were also injured and taken to a medical facility for treatment, said provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut.
Preliminary information indicates that three unknown suspects fled the scene and have not yet been arrested. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Detectives from the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit are leading the investigation, and all available resources have been mobilised to track down those responsible, said Colonel Traut.
“SAPS unequivocally condemns violent crimes and assures residents of Athlone and the surrounding community that every effort will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore safety in the area,” he said.
Vernon Piedt, chairperson of the Athlone Community Policing Forum (CPF), described the scene as tense, saying there was “a darkness hanging over the area” as bodies were removed.
He said residents are traumatised, particularly by the killing of the baby, which has intensified the community’s grief.
Mr Piedt said: “Whether we bring in the army or the police, it won’t help. We, as a community, must take ownership. Those in authority must act. Many community members know who the perpetrators are. It’s easy to stay quiet, but we must act and take responsibility for our streets, and chase gangsters away.”
Naweed Mohamed, Athlone CPF safety coordinator, said the house where the incident happened is a known palapos - house or building where illegal activity, especially drug dealing or gatherings of criminals, happens.
“The Bridgetown community called for years for this house to close, and since the call, nothing has happened, and the house has still been operating. It doesn’t justify what has happened; it is horrific," he said.
"The community is up in arms—what crime could a nine-month-old have committed? As the CPF and the broader community, we are concerned about this senseless act and extend our condolences to all victims. We call on authorities to conduct a relevant investigation and bring all those responsible to justice,” said Mr Mohamed.
Police appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application. All information will be treated confidentially.
Follow Athlone News on TikTok and Instagram @ccmonlineza