In a series of violent incidents over the weekend, unidentified gunmen killed three people and left five others seriously injured in Elsies River, Cape Town.
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The shootings began on Sunday and continued into Monday, with police facing a surge in violence.
Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi from the Western Cape police reported that detectives were overwhelmed with multiple shooting cases during the weekend. The violence began around 4:20am on Sunday when gunmen targeted a house on Alard Road in Clarke Estate.
Two victims, a 17-year-old male and a 26-year-old female, were killed, while two males, aged 18 and 20, and a 41-year-old female were hospitalised with severe gunshot wounds. The motive for this attack is still unknown, and the suspects remain at large.
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On the same day, another shooting occurred on Busby Avenue in Leonsdale, where a 19-year-old man was fatally shot in the abdomen. Captain FC Van Wyk indicated that this incident is suspected to be gang-related, and the investigation is ongoing.
On Monday afternoon, police reported two additional cases of attempted murder following a shooting on Avonwood Street in Avonwood. Two young males were injured and taken to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. The circumstances of this shooting are also under investigation.
Hamish Arries, chairperson of the Elsies River Community Policing Forum (CPF), expressed concern over the escalating gang violence in the area. He described Elsies River as a ‘red zone’ with rampant shootings that have severely impacted the community. Arries noted that children can no longer play freely, and residents live in constant fear.
Despite efforts from the CPF and local police, the violence persists. Arries highlighted the limitations of their resources and urged the government to provide additional support for crime-ridden areas.
The CPF’s anti-gang unit and visible law enforcement have not been sufficient to curb the violence, as gang members quickly adapt to their presence.
Local residents have expressed frustration and fear. Amina Sonday, a 32-year-old mother, lamented that her once safe neighbourhood has become a crime hotspot, and she is now considering selling her house despite the high property prices in Cape Town. She criticised the government for failing to address the gang problem and accused it of neglecting areas inhabited by lower-income families.
Terrence Jaftha (38) described the area as a ‘war zone’ plagued by escalating gun violence. He expressed concern over the increasing involvement of young children in gangs and the general decline in safety.
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