A HOT SPOT: KIlling took place in Mfuleni
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen says the supply line of illegal weapons needs to be interrupted and stopped.
This after another mass shooting left three people dead in Mfuleni less than 48 hours after four men were fatally wounded in Khayelitsha on Saturday afternoon.
The victims were at the popular hangout spot known as The Car Wash on Government Street, Bardale in the early hours of Monday morning.
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said the circumstances that left three men with fatal gunshot wounds at around 2.40am are under investigation.
Traut said: “One of the victims is a 31-year-old man, while the other two are yet to be identified.
“It is believed that the victims were attacked by unknown assailants who opened fire at them with assault rifles. While the motive is yet to be determined, SAPS detectives are seeking the assistance of the public to come forward with information that can help with the investigation.”
Allen pointed out that this was the second mass murder incident within 48 hours.
Allen said: “SAPS’s intelligence to prevent these incidents from occurring must be sharpened. We cannot have this occurring in any of our areas. It is extremely important that the supply line for easy access to weapons is immediately interrupted and stopped.
“Along with all the relevant and related weapons charges, those supplying firearms and ammunition should also be charged alongside the one pulling the trigger.
“The suppliers are showing that they, too, don’t have any regard for life.”
France Mashaba of the Mfuleni Community Police Forum said the murders were linked to groups demanding protection fees.
“We noticed in the previous mass shootings that they were linked to protection fee groupings,” said Mashaba.
On Saturday, the police in Khayelitsha responded to a mass shooting in Albertina Sisulu Drive in Makhaya at 7.50pm.
Four men, aged between 30 and 40, were gunned down by unknown suspects.
Two other men were also injured during the same incident and are being treated in hospital.
The suspects fled the scene and are being pursued by police. The motive for the mass murder case is yet to be determined.