Three arrested in gang-related shooting

Three men were arrested after a shooting on the corners of Connaught and Fransie van Zyl roads in Parow on Monday July 10.

Captain Kevin Williams, spokesman at Parow police, said one man was killed after he was shot in the chest, while another two were shot in the hand and leg.

Parow police are investigating a case of murder and two cases of attempted murder.

Captain Williams said the incident is believed to be gang-related. “The incident involved gangs from Elsies River who carry over their disputes into Parow.”

* Two men, aged 21 and 22, are behind bars for an armed robbery incident which took place last week.

Captain Waynne Theunis, spokesman for Goodwood police, said that on Tuesday July 11, at 11.30pm, two men robbed a taxi sliding door operator of cash. The man was standing on the corners of Voortrekker Road and Hugo Street when the men approached him.

They threatened him with a firearm and took R1 500 in cash before fleeing in the direction of Elsies River.

The complainant informed the driver of the taxi and they gave chase until they saw Warrant Officer Gavin Lawrence of Elsies River police.

Warrant Officer Lawrence arrested both the suspects with the help of the community and retrieved the cash as well as a gas pistol. The men appeared in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on a charge of armed robbery.

* Parow police are urging residents and motorists to be vigilant when walking and driving in the vicinity of Railway Street in Parow.

Captain Williams said they have experienced an increase in carjacking and robbery incidents in streets surrounding Railway Street in Avondale.

“These incidents are taking place between 5.40am and 5.50am. The suspect/s are using a white Toyota Tazz to prey on residents. According to reports, the suspects believed to be armed,” he said.

He encouraged residents to organise lift clubs from home to the station.

“Residents should keep their eyes peeled for suspicious cars and people when walking and driving to the station in the morning. I also want to urge residents to report suspicious people to the police,” he said.

Roger Cannon, chairman of the Parow Community Police Forum (CPF), said crime has been up and down in Avondale. “The affected areas are the roads leading to the station namely Glenboig, Reid, Wendtland, Fairfield and South streets.”

Mr Cannon said suspects are preying on “soft targets” who either walk alone or have their cellphones exposed.

“We try to engage with those who have fallen foul to crime to report it and a rent-a-cop has been made available to patrol the area.”