Four people have been murdered inside a known drug house which was an alleged stronghold of the Hard Livings gang in Mitchells Plain.
Members of the police’s Anti-Gang Unit were called to the house in Hazeldene Street in Portlands on Tuesday just after 3am, where the bodies of three men and a woman, between the ages of 30 and 32, were discovered.
Crime fighters reveal the three men, Brandon Alexander, Shafiek “Skollie” and Lucien Arendse were “preparing to leave the gang and change their lives”.
The woman, who was Brandon’s girlfriend, has only been identified as “Mariam”.
Members of the Anti-Gang Unit were called to the house in Hazeldene Street, Portlands on Tuesday morning. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Just last week, Lucien had made contact with community sub forum structures to be admitted to a drug rehabilitation centre.
Cops say three gunmen in a vehicle stopped outside the house, walked inside and opened fire. They then fled the scene.
Shocked neighbours and friends of the deceased said the house was a known HL pella pos, where “the front door was never locked and the windows never closed”.
Bonita Wood, the sub forum chairperson of Westridge, says Lucien especially was keen to reform and leave behind his life of crime.
“All three of them wanted to change their lives,” says Wood.
“I spoke to Lucien on Friday and we were speaking about him getting checked for Tuberculosis before he could be taken in at the drug rehabilitation (today).
“He started opening up and yes, they were naughty, but they were not born like that and raised in these type of homes. Lucien’s mother is
very traumatised.”
Bonita Wood, sub forum chairperson of Westridge. Picture supplied
A neighbour of Brandon’s, who asked not to be identified, says the house belonged to Brandon’s parents, who have passed away.
“I heard the gunshots going off just before 3am and I didn’t know the extent of what had happened until the police arrived.
“This is sad because young lives have been lost.”
He says the house was a known drug den.
“Everyone knew that this house was always busy with people coming in and out.
“I cannot comment whether the shooting was gang-related or drug-related, but everyone knows what type of house it was.”
Brandon’s devastated aunt, who was overcome with tears, could only say: “I am too traumatised to speak right now.”
Abie Isaacs, the chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum, says the shooting has shocked everyone because it happened in a relatively quiet neighbourhood.
“I cannot confirm if it is gang-related or not. We are concerned because this happened in a quieter precinct,” he says.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, says the AGU has been deployed to investigate the matter.