TRAGIC SCENE:

The sound of gunfire, followed shortly by police and ambulance sirens, echoed through the Mitchells Plain suburb of Rocklands at the weekend. Two people were killed in what is believed to have been gang-related . No arrests have been made.

TWO people were shot dead and another is recovering in hospital after gunmen opened fire in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, at the weekend.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said police were investigating cases of murder and attempted murder.

“Circumstances surrounding a shooting incident at about 8.50pm in Spreeu Crescent, Rocklands, where two men in their twenties were fatally injured and a woman injured were under investigation.”

According to residents, the body of a 38-year-old gardener was also found near a local shop. Mitchells Plain police cluster chairperson Hanif Loonat said: “Shootings here are always gang-related. This area is so volatile at the moment.”

Loonat said until the community united and stood together these shootings would never stop.

“We are losing lives in numbers here. The community need to be proactive and participate in crime fighting initiatives.

“Nobody can protect your area except you. Look at this incident where three people were shot in the same street.” Loonat also urged residents to take back their streets.

“There is no way we can have peace when criminals are ruling our streets. There would be lawlessness. There would be no respect for life.”

Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs said the community was left reeling after the murders and he vowed the killers would face the full might of the law. He said the community would not rest until justice was served.

“We condemn violence in the strongest terms. We want the police to speed up the investigation.”

Anyone with information about this shooting incident is requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS 32211 or Mitchells Plain SAPS on 021 370 1600.