Twin murders rock Lavender Hill

File photo

File photo

Published May 29, 2013

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Cape Town - Two men were shot and killed in separate incidents in Lavender Hill on Tuesday night.

It is understood that one of the men was shot at least 12 times and police found 24 bullet casings around his body.

Shortly before 7pm, Steenberg police responded to reports of a shooting in Symphony Avenue.

“On arrival at the scene they found the body of a 29-year-old male inside his vehicle. According to the information received the (dead man) went outside to his car and three unidentified males approached him,” said police spokesman Captain F C van Wyk.

Van Wyk said the assailants “randomly” shot at the victim.

While trying to escape, the victim crashed his car into a lamppost. He sustained two gunshot wounds and died on the scene.

Shortly after midnight, police responded to reports of another shooting in Bonaface Street, about 2.5km from Symphony Avenue.

A 21-year-old man was shot several times and killed. Police found his bullet-riddled body lying in the middle of the road.

Murder dockets have been opened, but no arrests have followed in either case.

Police would not speculate if the shootings were linked, or gang-related.

However, Kevin Southgate, chairman of Steenberg Community Police Forum, said the men were members of rival gangs. The former was apparently a Corner Boy and Stevens was a member of the Mongrels.

“The situation for the community in Lavender Hill is once again desperate. People fear for their lives and feel that police cannot protect them against the gangsters,” said Southgate.

“There was a shooting incident on Sunday, a call was made to the police station and yet there was no response. If there is not a concerted crackdown, gang hitmen become emboldened in their activities.”

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Cape Argus

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