Cape Flats back in grip of violence

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

Three-year-old Kauthar Alexander is still in pain after being shot. Photo: Cindy Waxa

Communities in parts of the Cape Flats are in the grip of gang violence again, with several shootings reported over the past week.

On Saturday at about 7.40pm, a 43-year-old man was shot and killed at Parkin Court in Lavender Hill. Another man was injured during the shooting and he died on Sunday morning.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut said: “The circumstances are being investigated and no one has been arrested as yet. We have reason to believe that the incident is linked to the area’s gang problem.”

Since the beginning of the month, there had been three murders and several attempted murders in Lavender Hill, Steenberg community police forum chairman Kevin Southgate said.

He added that there was a strong police presence in the area.

Southgate said it was a concern that gang shootings were still taking place despite the available resources.

“We are also concerned that it is school holidays now and the kids are at home. We appeal to parents to know where their children are at all times.”

He also appealed to residents to come forward with information.

On Friday, two people were shot dead about 10 minutes apart in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain.

“At 8.30 pm a 35-year-old man was shot and killed in Osprey Road, Rocklands,” Traut said.

At 8.40pm, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed in Malgas Street, Rocklands.

The circumstances of both cases are under investigation and arrests have been made.

On Thursday, three-year old Kauthar Alexander was shot six times while playing outside her home in Hanover Park. Her mother, Kashiefa, said: “She asked me for milk. I came inside and then the shots started.”

Her daughter was shot in both legs.

Kauthar was discharged from hospital on Saturday but is still in a lot of pain.

“We haven’t slept since Thursday. I don’t think she will be playing outside again anytime soon,” Kashiefa said.

On Thursday, police said a 15-year-old boy and his 61-year-old father had been arrested in Hanover Park for being in possession of two 9mm pistols. The pistols’ serial numbers had been removed.

Seven suspects were arrested for being in possession of a 7.65 pistol that was reported stolen in Delft in 2008. Police said the arrests had been made after “several incidences of violence in the Hanover Park area” on the day.

“We will not allow a few criminals to hold an entire community to ransom with their ruthless acts of crime and violence, and therefore our patrols will remain in the Hanover Park are in large numbers,” police said on Thursday.

Community Safety MEC Dan Plato could not be reached for comment.

However, his spokesman, Greg Wagner, said that apart from his department’s strategy to deal with the problem and the strategy of the police, Plato also holds meetings in areas including Hanover Park, Elsies River and Bonteheuwel, to speak to communities about their concerns.

ilse.fredericks@inl.co.za

Cape Argus