Sporadic shootings have kept emergency workers and police busy, in just a matter of hours after ten people were shot and wounded, with one individual left dead.
In a particularly tragic incident, the victims were reportedly members of a family. The first shooting occurred on Mohan Street in Rylands, also known as Pookse Bos, where three family members were shot by gunmen who fled the scene on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wes-ley Twigg said: “Athlone police registered an attempted murder case for investigation following a shooting incident on Tuesday afternoon, in Mohan Street, Rylands, in which a 47-year-oldfemale and two males aged 16 and 48 were shot and wounded.
“ The victims were taken to a medical facility for medical treatment. The motive for the attack is yet to be deter-mined. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.” In a second incident on the same day, police responded to a shooting in Parkers Walk, Parkwood, where two individuals were shot and wounded. Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi explained: “The circumstances sur-rounding this incident are under investigation”.
Grassy Park police responded to a complaint on March 25. Upon arrival in Parkers Walk, at about 10:15pm they found a male who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. While attending to this incident, they became aware of another male who had also sustained a gun shot wound at a different address. Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, and the unknown suspects fled the scene.
The motive for this attack remains undetermined. Grassy Park police are investigating two counts of attempted murder and appeal to anyone with information to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
In a third incident in Mountain Road, in the region of Overcome Heights near Lavender Hill on the same day, just after 10.15pm, police found the body of a 21-year-old man who was riddled with gunshots. Four other victims were left wounded. “Muizenberg police attended to a complaint on March 25,” Swartbooi added.
“Upon arrival in Mountain Road at about 22:15 they found the body of a 21-year-old man who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. “The victim was declared decease don the scene by the medical personnel.
“Four other victims who also sustained gunshot wounds were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. “The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The motive for this attack is believed to be gang related. Muizenberg police are investigating a case of murder and four counts of attempted murder. ”Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, condemned the violence, stating: “I strongly condemn the sporadic shooting of at least 10 people across the Cape Metro in one evening. While the SAPS is actively pursuing those responsible, I urge communities to report incidents of crime to assist authorities in apprehending the perpetrators.”
Following the shootings on March 25, additional incidents occurred in Ottery and other parts of the Cape Metro.
Cape Argus