Cape Town - Renewed shootings in Manenberg between two rival gangs have claimed the life of a man with some saying the area felt like a “war zone” over the weekend.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said a 31-year-old man was shot dead in Manenberg early on Sunday.
“He was crossing an open field when several shots were fired at him. He was rushed to the hospital where he died at 4.30am… “
Van Wyk said a murder case had been opened.
An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said the shooting started on Saturday night.
“It was mad out there. Gangsters were running all over the place. The shooting was very close to where we were. It was like being in a war zone in Manenberg.”
The eyewitness said that it was speculated that rival gangs - the Americans and the Jesters - were fighting over territory.
The witness said two people were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
Four months ago the Cape Argus reported on shootings in the area between the Americans and the Hard Livings, in a series of battles in which nearly 30 people died and schools had to be closed.
The two gangs made peace and the area had been quiet for months.
Van Wyk said he could not speculate on the cause of the recent shootings as police were still investigating. No arrests had been made.
* Meanwhile, in Mitchells Plain an 18-year-old man was shot dead while walking past a tuckshop.
Van Wyk said the incident happened on Saturday morning and police were still investigating.
No arrests have been made.
Van Wyk said Muizenberg police on patrol on Sunday morning were called to a scene by residents who had found a 34-year-old man lying in the street in Vrygrond with stab wounds.
He said the man was still alive and was taken to a local hospital.
Cape Argus