CAPE TOWN - The Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) has welcomed the arrest of five suspects in relation to the recent mass shootings in the area.
Three suspects were arrested on Monday after the shooting of five people, which left two dead and three injured in Mandela Park on Saturday morning.
On Monday evening a suspect was arrested in relation to the shooting last month in Endlovini informal settlement which left five people dead.
A suspect, Thando Shuba, 35, appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on April 4 following his arrest for the shooting of six people in Enkanini on March 20.
KDF chairperson Ndithini Tyhido said the community needed to work closely with police.
“We encourage all Khayelitsha residents to remain vigilant and not be distracted by criminals,” he said.
“We want a Khayelitsha where the old shall care for the young and the young shall respect the old,” said Tyhido.
In relation to the Mandela Park incident, police spokesperson FC van Wyk said once charged the suspects will appear in Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.
“Police have made a breakthrough when they arrested three suspects in connection with the shooting of five people in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
The suspects aged 29, 32 and 40 will be charged for two counts of murder and three attempted murders,” said Van Wyk.
About the Endlovini informal settlement shooting, police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said the arrest was affected after police embarked on a tracing operation that led them to a home in Khayelitsha.
“The suspect, will be facing murder charges linked to an incident where five people were shot and killed in New Monwabisi Park in Endlovini. He is expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (today).”
SACP district secretary, Benson Nqentsu called for no bail for the suspects. “The SACP in the Western Cape would like to commend the men and women in blue for their swift arrest of the blood thirsty criminals,” said Nqentsu.
Acting MEC of Community Safety, Anroux Marais, welcomed the arrests. “We are indeed grateful for this breakthrough and that progress has been made in this investigation. The suspects’ arrest does offer some consolation.”
Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
Cape Times