Cape Town - Delft residents crippled with fear say they are being held hostage in their community, following the latest shooting in which a 13-year-old girl was caught in gang crossfire.
The teenager, who is in a stable condition, was wounded on the side of her body at about 1.20pm on Friday.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said the circumstances leading to the shooting incident were being investigated.
“Upon arrival at the scene on the corners of Roosendal Avenue and Delft Main Road near to a shopping complex, they found the injured victim who sustained a gunshot wound to her body.
“The 13-year-old was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Delft police are investigating a case of attempted murder,” said Swartbooi.
Just two days prior to the incident, irate Delft residents and pupils took to the streets protesting against gang violence in the after 15-year-old Aqeelah Schroeder was killed in crossfire last Tuesday.
Schroeder was found lying on her stomach about 200m from her home with a gunshot wound in the neck.
She had accompanied a friend to a spaza shop when shots rang out.
The suspects in both cases fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
Local activist and founder of Women Impacting a Nation (WIN), Farida Ryklief, said:“ Enough is enough now, how many more people must be hurt or murdered before we see change here? We need police and law enforcement patrolling to make the community safer.”
Delft councillor Michelle Adonis said it was sad that residents were living with the knowledge that if they were outside their homes it could be their last time alive.
“Our children are growing up in very violent communities filled with trauma. Even going to the shops is not safe for them. The community is being held hostage,” said Adonis.
Last month, an 18-year-old was shot and wounded, and a 31-year-old woman was shot and killed in Leiden Avenue.
Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Minister Reagen Allen bemoaned young people losing their lives.
“We cannot have our young people dying in this fashion. I’d like to extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones who was killed. The data is showing us that Delft is an area that is unfortunately known for its constant shootings. It is also on the top 30 list of murder stations in the country,” he said.
According to Allen about 89 LEAP officers have been deployed to assist in the area, the highest deployment in a single precinct.
Anyone with information can anonymously contact call Crime Stop on 08600 10111
Cape Times