It’s been a bloody weekend in Mitchells Plain in which at least eight people have been murdered in less than a week.
Three other people were hurt in a gang-related drug and turf war which started on Wednesday.
In the latest incident on Saturday night, two men were shot and killed in two separate incidents in Tafelsig, one in Stromboli Street and the other in Kilimanjaro Street.
The madness started on Wednesday when six of the victims were mowed down within 48 hours.
On Wednesday night a member of the Fancy Boys was shot in Linaria Street, Lentegeur.
The next morning, just after 8am, the body of a 23-year-old male was found by passers-by along Imperial and Swartklip roads in Beacon Valley with a gunshot to the head.
This was followed by a triple murder some hours later, at noon, when three alleged dik dinge of the Junior Cisco Yakkies (JCY) gang were ambushed inside their Ford Focus while driving along Eisleben and Morgenster roads in Lentegeur.
It is believed gunmen inside a white Quantum opened fire on them.
Captain FC van Wyk says cases of murder have been opened for investigation.
On Friday morning, two men, aged 23 and 29, were shot and injured.
Van Wyk says they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“It is alleged that the men were standing in Epsom Street, Beacon Valley when they were shot by an unknown suspect(s). The victims sustained bullet wounds to their stomach and right leg.”
One of the men is alleged to be a member of the Spoilt Brats gang.
Later that same day, cops visited a crime scene in Metropolitan Street, also in Beacon Valley, where a man was gunned down.
Then on Saturday just after 2pm, police were called to the Town Centre Mall where a 27-year-old man who had been standing at a fruit and vegetables stall was shot and wounded by three men.
Van Wyk said the man was shot in his buttocks, arm and chest.
Sources reveal the shooters allegedly belong to the Firm Boys, who are part of the 28s gang.
Van Wyk says: “An attempted murder case was opened, [and] no arrest made. The motive behind the shooting is unknown.”
Lynn Phillips, of the Mitchells Plain CPF, says the communities have been traumatised by the spate of shootings.
“We are appealing to the authorities to decisively deal with the matter as we can no longer allow mayhem in our communities. One death is one too many.
“We also request SAPS to come up with a clear plan to combat these continuous killings and we’re urging communities to speak out as they know who these gunslingers are.”