Fear grips residents
THREE people have been shot dead and five others wounded in five days in suspected gang-related shootings in Lavender Hill.
The Steenberg Community Police Forum (CPF), which is also responsible for Lavender Hill, said residents in Lavender Hill were living in fear of gangsters, which has tormented them for the last week.
Three people, aged 19, 29, and 38 were killed in shootings this week. The 38-year-old was hit in the neck by a stray bullet as he stood at a shop, said CPF chairperson Gavin Walbrugh.
Another five people, including a 12-year-old boy, have received medical attention after they were wounded. The boy was hit by a stray bullet in his hand on Wednesday, Walbrugh said.
“I am getting calls late at night, especially from older people, who are fearing for their children’s lives. Children can’t play outside. It’s happening all over,” Walbrugh said.
Extra policing resources are in the area. These include the public order police, and metro police.
Walbrugh would not get into details about the alleged gang shootings, but said there are four main gangs which have been distracting police by “random shootings” in areas.
“They shoot in one area to distract police from what they are doing in another area,” Walbrugh said.
Meanwhile, a 45-year-old female driver was shot dead during a hijacking along Strandfontein Road opposite SA Breweries in Ottery yesterday.
EMS spokesperson Robert Daniels said the woman was shot in the back.
According to reports, the car was tracked by a vehicle-monitoring company, and a shootout between police and the suspects ensued.
The matter was under the investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). Ipid did not respond to questions before deadline.
Earlier this week police patrolling in Mfuleni recovered a hijacked vehicle while the complainant was registering the case in Nyanga.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said police patrolling in Mfuleni received a tip-off which led to the arrest of the suspects.
An illegal firearm with the serial number filed off was found in the vehicle. a number of cellphones were found in the possession of the suspects.
“Three males who reside in the Philippi and Browns Farm area with ages between 22 and 26 were arrested and charged with possession of a hijacked vehicle and possession of unlicensed firearm. They will be appearing at Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court once they have been charged,” Van Wyk said.