A 21st birthday party turned into a bloodbath when gunmen opened fire outside a rented Mandalay house.
The attack, which left a woman dead and seven others wounded - including the birthday girl - happened in Montclair Drive on Saturday afternoon.
The first victim was a woman who had gone to buy entjies at a nearby house.
She was shot on her way back.
David Mafate says he was in the garage cum dancefloor when he heard gunshots.
“The woman who was shot ran inside and then she fell on the ground and then people started running for cover,” he explains.
“The gunmen were standing by the gate when they were shooting, they didn’t come inside the yard.
“Two of the many bullets missed me because I was standing behind the garage door pillar.”
When the Daily Voice visited the scene, the garage had blood on the floor and the chairs and tables were moved to the edge of the room.
Inside the lounge stood two throne chairs and on the floor lay a pair of bloody jeans.
“We were having a 21st birthday party for someone who came to ask us if we could rent the house out to them for the day.
“And we told them we didn’t have a problem with it because we have enough space here,” David explains.
“I don’t know the family but my roommate does.”
The man says they heard yesterday morning that the woman who was the first to be shot had died in hospital.
David tells the Daily Voice that he suspects the shooters were looking for someone.
“I later heard that the car had been circling the area before they started shooting.
“I don’t know who they were looking for but I’m sure he wasn’t here.”
David Mafate stands in the garage where people were hurt. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency(ANA)
Police spokesman Colonel André Traut says cops have launched a 72-hour activation plan which led to the arrest of three suspects.
“The execution of the 72-hour Activation Plan following the attack on partygoers in Mandalay on Saturday evening led to the arrest of three suspects,” he says.
“A 24-year-old female was killed and seven others aged between 5 and 26-years-old were injured when the occupants of a Honda Ballade shot at the victims in Montclair Drive Mandalay in what is believed to be a gang related incident.
“In pursuit of the suspects, Anti-Gang Unit detectives conducted a tracing operation (Sunday) night and arrested the suspects aged 22, 35 and 38 who are all from Mitchells Plain. Once charged, the suspects are expected to make their court appearances in Mitchells Plain on charges of murder and attempted murder,” says Traut.
He says while detectives are investigating the ruthless attack, the public is asked to come forward with information that can assist the police.
“Crime Stop can be contacted on 08600 10111 where your identity will be protected,” adds Traut.
Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz says at this stage it is suspected that the shooting was related to ongoing gang violence.
“I am in contact with the Provincial Commissioner and our teams are working closely together. We have to stand together against the onslaught faced by our communities,” he said.