CAPE TOWN - The Mandalay Community Police Forum (CPF) suspects the gang-violence which is said to be behind the killing of a young woman, leaving seven others including a 5-year-old wounded during a birthday party may have started outside the area.
The 24-year-old was killed after shooters driving a green Honda Ballade, opened fire on guests attending a 21st birthday party in Montclair drive.
Seven others, including a five-year-old who was shot in the eye, are still recovering in hospital.
Three suspects have since been arrested.
“The execution of the 72-hour Activation Plan following the attack on party-goers in Mandalay on Saturday evening led to the arrest of three suspects. A 24-year-old female was killed and seven others aged between 5 and 26 were injured when the occupants of a Honda Ballade shot at the victims in Montclair Drive Mandalay in what is believed to be a gang related incident. In pursuit of the suspects, Anti-Gang Unit detectives conducted a tracing operation last night (Sunday) and arrested the suspects aged 22, 35 and 38 who are all from Mitchells Plain,” police spokesperson Andre Traut said.
But gang violence was not common in the area, according to the CPF which said they suspected it may have started outside their community.
“Gang related violence is something that we are not familiar with in our area. If indeed it is gang related then it could mean that it started somewhere and obviously the suspects made sure that they will follow the person wherever they are. The unfortunate part is that people who had nothing to do with this were also affected. You must remember that our area is still new and a lot of people don't know each other very well and most of the kids are school goers and there was never a day where we suspected that there could be gangsters in our area,” said CPF chairperson Nkululeko Mfecane.
Once charges, police said suspects are expected to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s court on charges of murder and attempted murder.
Meanwhile Metro Police officers recovered a firearm in Bonteheuwel, after responding to gunshots fired in the area.
Officers on patrol in the area heard gunfire and responded. On arrival, they noticed a silver Toyota Tazz speeding away from the area. Officers pulled over the vehicle in Jakkalsvlei Road and conducted a search, with the owner’s permission.
They found a Z88 9mm pistol under the driver’s seat – three suspects in their early thirties were detained at Bishop Lavis SAPS for the possession of an illegal firearm and discharging of a firearm in a municipal area.
“Our enforcement staff are making regular firearm confiscations, which is testament to the proliferation of firearms on our streets. However, the rate of confiscations of imitation firearms and zip guns also requires interrogation. One possible explanation is that the continued confiscation of illegal firearms by Metro Police and Law Enforcement, as well as the South African Police Services, has led to criminals struggling to obtain access to illegal firearms and resorting to making their own zip guns or using imitation firearms,” said Safety and security mayco member JP Smith.
Cape Times