Multiple shooting incidents in Manenberg on Sunday morning left three dead and four injured.
“It is sad. The area is still tense and sombre. Manenberg has been quiet for a long time, and now all of a sudden there’s been an upsurge in violent activities. It seems like there is no hope,” said resident Yusuf Hope,
Manenberg SAPS spokesperson Captain Ian Bennett said there was a street party in Storms River Walk when a gunman started shooting among the crowd.
According to Captain Bennett, the alleged shooter was also killed.
“A 33-year-old man was shot and killed in a retaliation shooting on Sunday November 10 at 8.40am. The man was responsible for two separate shooting incidents hours apart before he was murdered himself,” he said.
The lone gunman had started firing “indiscriminately” at the party-goers, at 5.30am, injuring two men, aged 23 and 33, before fleeing the scene, he said.
“At around 8am, as the party continued, the same suspect returned and again fired several random shots at the party-goers. This time fatally wounding a 17-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man and injuring a 26-year old man and a 16-year-old girl.
“He once again fled the scene. At 8.40am, the suspect daringly returned to the scene while SAPS members were busy processing the scene. Shots rang out again. SAPS discovered the lifeless body of the suspect known to SAPS. The 33-year-old succumbed at the scene. It is unclear why he had attacked his unsuspecting victims.
“Two cases of murder and four cases of attempted murder have been opened for investigation. The 33-year-old man found dead in Storms River has been identified as the shooter of the first two shooting incidents.”
Vanessa Adriaanse, the deputy chairperson of Manenberg Community Police Forum, said: “The area has been quiet for a long time. The only challenge we had was with the youngsters throwing stones.
“We don’t know what led to these shootings, but we can confirm that it is gang-related.
“The saddest part is that children are writing their final examinations, and there is also a by-election on Tuesday November 19 for special votes, and on Wednesday November 20. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) cannot even do voter education, as these shootings make it almost impossible.
“We are concerned about these street parties, and we are appealing to law enforcement to look into it. We are also appealing to gangsters to put their guns down.”
Anyone with information about the shootings can contact Manenberg SAPS at 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
