Mandilakhe Tshwete

Blood continues to spill on the Cape Flats, as 17 people were shot in less than 48 hours.

In the latest shooting, five people were killed in Philippi East.

The five males were shot and set alight in a vehicle on Friday evening.

Brigadier Novela Potelwa said reports from the scene indicate that the victims were in a vehicle in the Better Life area when four armed suspects emerged and shot the occupants.

“The suspects subsequently set the occupants alight. The identities of the deceased persons are yet to be determined with investigators hard at work collecting evidence. The ages of the deceased persons are estimated to be between 20 and 30.

The motive for the incident is the subject of the police investigation that is currently underway.“

Anyone with information that could assist the police investigation is urged to contact Captain Andre Lotter on 079 894 1547.

The most shocking incident happened in Lotus River where eight people were shot and wounded at a memorial service of a gang leader.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said Grassy Park detectives registered an attempted murder case following a shooting incident on Thursday at about 8.30pm on the corner of Buck Road and 6th Avenue, Lotus River, where eight persons aged between 12 and 35 were shot and injured.

“According to reports, SAPS members on duty attended to a complaint of a shooting at the mentioned address. He was then taken in an ambulance to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

“Members of the community then approached the police members and informed them that there was a memorial service and while the people stood around outside, a Grey Polo vehicle came driving slowly and a male person began to randomly shoot into the crowd causing injuries to several victims.

“All the victims were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment already. The motive is believed to be gang-related.”

Meanwhile in Bonteheuwel, in less than an hour, two people were wounded in a shooting in Bonteheuwel.

“At about 9.10 pm Bishop Lavis SAPS members attended a shooting incident where they found two victims, a 39-year-old male shot in the left leg and a 35-year-old female shot in the right leg and right breast. Both victims were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

“The incident is believed to be gang related. Bishop Lavis Detectives are investigating two counts of attempted murder.”

In the earlier hours of that morning, in Mitchells Plain police registered two counts of murder following a shooting incident at about 3.45 pm at a premises in Sayed Magmoed Street, in Westridge, where two males aged 34 were shot and fatally wounded.

Sergeant Twigg said in Athlone, police are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting incident in the early hours of Thursday morning in College Road, Rylands, in which a 24-year-old man and a 30-year-old female were shot and fatally wounded and a 24-year-old man wounded.

“The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”

The Western Cape Provincial Community Police Board (WCPCPB) spokesperson, Rafique Foflonker, said: “We are deeply alarmed by the ongoing bloodshed plaguing our communities. The shooting of so many people in a single day is not just a crime statistic—it is a stark reminder of the relentless violence that continues to tear families apart and instil fear in our neighbourhoods.

“We strongly condemn these acts of brutality and call on the police to intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA) spokesperson Jay Jay Idel called for a Cape Flats shutdown.

“While the President delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA), speaking of progress and a brighter future, gang wars raged just 20km away.

“Mass shootings, targeted executions, and indiscriminate violence continue unchecked. Manenberg, Bonteheuwel, Ravensmead, Blue Downs, Atlantis, and other areas – Multiple shootings, more bloodshed, and no accountability.

“The Cape Flats, townships, and every community affected by gang violence are under siege. We are leading the call for a mass shutdown across the Cape Flats, townships, and all areas affected by gang violence until the government takes real and immediate action.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za