A shocking rise in gang violence, in which at least 14 people were killed in 24 hours, has prompted Safety and Security boss, JP Smith, to call on the City’s Special Investigative Unit to urgently engage with the police’s Anti-Gang Unit to stem the blood-letting on the Cape Flats.
The murders of mostly alleged teenage gangsters were reported in KTC in Gugulethu, Blikkiesdorp in Delft, and Athlone on Thursday and Friday.
On Friday, the bullet-riddled body of an unknown woman in her 20s was found in a bush along Symphony Way in Delft.
The woman had been shot seven times and was found by a passer-by rummaging for plastic in the bossies on Friday morning.
Shocked neighbours say they heard more than seven gunshots ring out just after midnight.
A resident, who asked not to be named, says: “She was found [on Friday morning]. We have had a look at the body, but we do not know who she is.”
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, says a murder case has been registered for investigation.
TERROR: Lifeless Delft body
“The deceased was dressed in blue jeans, a brown belt, blue T-shirt, white long sleeve top, black takkies and white socks. The motive is unknown and no arrest has been made.”
Smith said Delft is now “rated fourth from number 10 for murders”.
“What is needed now is an effective investigation which will lead to arrests and convictions. We need to know what the AGU is doing about these killings.”
Meanwhile, police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut, said the
circumstances of several other murders are also
under investigation.
“The circumstances surrounding the murder of five men, and the attempted murder of one man are being investigated following an incident in Q4 Blikkiesdorp, Delft on Thursday around 9pm.
“Three suspects entered the dwelling where the victims were sitting and opened fire at them,” Traut says.
He says the five men died at the scene, while a sixth victim sustained a gunshot wound to his face.
WIPED OUT: Victim of gangs
“Three suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The motive, and the ages and identities of the victims are yet to be determined.”
On Thursday afternoon in separate incidents, two men were shot and killed in Amandel Street, Delft South.
On Friday at 7.30pm, a 20-year-old man was shot and killed in The Hague, Delft.
“Also on Friday at 7.30pm an 18-year-old man was shot and killed in Amandel Street, Delft. Another victim, a 16-year-old female, was wounded during this incident. The cases are all under police investigation,” Traut says.
Safety and Security MEC Albert Fritz condemned the violence and said his department will be engaging Police Minister Bheki Cele.
Fritz called the province a “war zone” where “1875 people were murdered in the past six months alone”.