Cape Town - Sunday marked a year since the mass killing of 13 people in Khayelitsha.
The killings started in RR Section, Site B, as gunmen went on the rampage in several incidents.
The Western Cape police’s Integrated Task Team arrested 11 suspects in connection with the shootings. In a statement released at the time, Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the task team, which comprised lockdown II forces, intelligence officials, organised crime detectives and a combat contingent, descended on the suspects at a hotel in Sea Point at about 3am.
There was hope that maybe a conviction was imminent, but a year later the case is not even set for trial.
“During further investigation, only three could be linked to the crime and they were subsequently charged with the murders,” said police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut.
He added that the case is still in court and has been prioritised by the police.
In recent weeks, Khayelitsha has had further mass shootings which claimed the lives of 17 people. The most recent one was in Site C earlier this month where six people were gunned down by unknown gunmen.
The motive behind the most recent mass killing has not yet been confirmed, but reports from residents allege the shooting relates to an ongoing fight between criminal groups who extort protection money from businesses and residents.
In March, five people, four men and one woman, were shot dead at New Monwabisi Park, Endlovini. Madoda Zwayi was arrested and charged with five counts of murder. Bail proceedings are under way in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.
On March 20, six young people were killed outside an informal structure in Enkanini. Police charged Thando Shuba with six counts of murder. He was granted R800 bail in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court last month and the case is set to resume on July 6.
Khayelitsha residents, religious groups and NGOs have organised an interfaith prayer for Wednesday next week.
“We are not saying the law enforcement officials must stop trying to fight crime, but in desperation, we want to come together to ask if we have wronged God in any way, we ask for forgiveness,” said Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) deputy chairperson Thandi Msuthu.
“People are dying in Khayelitsha and the criminals are brazen now. They murder whether at night or in broad daylight. We are asking God to intervene now, it is enough.”
Msuthu said many people are scared to go to the police with information as their safety is not guaranteed. “There is no confidence in the police because people who are vocal and report to the police end up being targeted.”
Mbulelo Dwane from Ntsikelelo Yethu Foundation said they have lost hope not only in the police sector, but also in political leaders. “It is clear that there is no political will to sort out the mass shootings in Khayelitsha. Even the Khayelitsha court does not inspire any confidence; people go there and are charged small amounts for bail.”
Dwane said communities in Khayelitsha have now turned into hardened criminals for protection against other criminals.
“We will ask for spiritual intervention and then mobilise the community to stand against criminals. We need to claim back our streets. History has taught us that no one can defeat us if we are united.”
There have been more than 400 mass shootings in the Western Cape since 2019. Most of these shootings took place in Cape Town.