Philip Bam says that reports on social media about the shootings in Ottery and Lotus River are exaggerations of the true facts.
Reports on various social media platforms about the shootings in Ottery and Lotus River are exaggerations of the true facts.
The Grassy Park CPF has been asked to comment on these reports and wish to put the record straight.
We consider it totally irresponsible and reckless to post such alarmist misinformation on social media, which carried reports about 50 shots being fired at law enforcement officers. This is not true.
Information was posted about five people being killed in a supermarket. This is not true.
Citizens were warned about travelling certain main roads in the area and claims were made that the area has been declared a red zone and should be avoided.
The police did not declare any area a red zone and no cautionaries were issued about travelling certain roads.
These untrue stories emanate from a shooting that took place on November 6, 2015 in Ottery where one person died, and two others injured, one of who died later. The Grassy Park Police confirmed the following:
“On 2015/11/06 at about 17h20 Grassy Park SAPS were called out to a scene in New Ottery Road (next to taxi rank), Ottery. Upon arrival at the scene, members found the body of a 30 year old male. The deceased was shot in the head and upper body. The second person, aged between 30 and 35, was shot in the upper body in his back ( this victim died in hospital last week). It is believed that a third person. c/male aged 17, was shot in the buttocks. A case of murder and attempted murder was opened. The suspect is still outstanding. The two deceased belong to the ‘6 Bob Gang’; it is believed the suspect belonged to the ‘mongrels gang’.
The young man shot c/o Buck and 2nd avenues, Lotus River was shot on 2015/11/08, he does not want a case. Sporadic shootings are reported to SAPS but no cases opened for it, gang violence is on-going, community should be vigilant and careful. Most prevalent in Lotusriver, Ottery and Parkwood.
The young man shot in the Buck Road area was passing by when he was hit by a stray bullet.
Residents have been reporting that they hearing shots at various times. There was a recent shooting incident in Parkwood Estate where one person was injured. Police recovered handguns in an unrelated arrest as a result of their stop and search programme.
Overall the situation is calm although we caution the community to be alert at all times as one can be sure when shooting will occur.
The SAPS are on alert as well, and are deploying extra forces to patrol the area.
The CPF calls upon the SAPS and all law enforcement agencies to increase the efforts to find illegal firearms in our community and disarm the criminals.
We call for more firmer action against gangsters in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
The community needs to see that the mandate, given to the state in our constitution and laws to keep our communities safe, is being taken seriously.
The Grassy Park CPF appeal to our community to report any information about guns in the area to the SAPS or the CPF.
Philip Bam
Pro: Grassy Park Community Police Forum
* The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
Cape Times
** Use IOL’s Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.