Cape Town - The community of Tafelsig is waiting for more bullets to fly after a man, 46, believed to be a leading gang member, was shot dead and two other people wounded on Monday.
Police have arrested a 29-year-old suspect in connection with the shooting and confiscated a 9mm Norinco pistol with the serial number filed off. He was due to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court.
Residents said the dead man, identified only by his nickname “Vet” (Fat), was a senior gang member of the Americans. He was shot in an open field in Tafelsig’s Hangklip Street at about 6pm.
“Upon arrival (police) found the 46-year-old victim lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and head. He was certified dead on the scene by paramedics,” said Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk.
“They also found two more victims, a female who reportedly was a bystander who got caught in the crossfire. She sustained a wound to her back, and a male (the deceased’s friend) was shot in his right wrist.
“Both were treated on the scene and were then transported to a nearby hospital.”
A case of murder and attempted murder was opened for investigation.
Van Wyk said anyone with information can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Abie Isaacs, chairman of the Tafelsig Community Police Forum, said it had been tense in the area since the incident on Monday night. “We know of the shooting and we have asked police to keep a high visibility in Tafelsig. There is a level of tenseness since the shooting.”
He could not confirm whether the shooting was gang-related.
Meanwhile, in separate incidents, two houses were petrol-bombed in nearby Lentegeur at the weekend.
According to reports, on Saturday night a house in Begonia Street was allegedly petrol-bombed, destroying three wendy houses and a woman’s home.
Then a suspected gang house was petrol-bombed in Linaria Street soon after 5.50pm on Sunday.
Cape Argus