Residents in shock over murder of trio

GUGULETHU detectives’ work is mounting after two more people were shot yesterday morning – with one succumbing to his wounds.

It comes as Samora Machel residents are reeling in shock after the bodies of three men were found with gunshot wounds during the early hours of Saturday; and after eight people were shot and killed while attending a traditional ceremony in NY 79, Gugulethu, on Wednesday. “At about 7.20am (yesterday) an unknown male opened the door of a static vehicle in NY 137, Gugulethu. The suspect fired numerous gunshots at the occupants, wounding a man, 30, and fatally wounding another man, 30. He fled the scene and is yet to be arrested.”

Samora Machel Community Policing Forum’s Bongani Maqugwana said locals suspect the victims were transported from another area to be killed in the Vlei informal settlement, where the bodies were discovered. “None of the residents have been able to identify any of the victims but the residents are shaken,” he said.

Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said the three men are estimated to be between the ages of 20 and 25. “At around 6.30 the bodies of the three victims were discovered in the road in the Vlei informal settlement in Samora Machel, each with one gunshot wound to the head. The motive for the murders is yet to be established.”

Meanwhile, police are yet to make arrests in the suspected extortion-related murders of eight people in Gugulethu. The suspects fled in a vehicle, leaving five dead while three others died in hospital.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said detectives were following up on leads. “Our seasoned detectives are working around the clock to find the perpetrators of this mass shooting incident in Gugulethu. The suspects are still on the run.”

In an unrelated incident, two suspects, aged 35 and 31, from Lwandle and Khayelitsha are due in the Strand Magistrate’s Court today after their arrest on Thursday on charges of kidnapping and extortion. They are alleged to have abducted a Chinese national, 47, who owns a business in Strand,.

“The suspects are alleged to have later demanded a substantial amount of cash as ransom in exchange for the release of the victim. Police later descended on a shack in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, and rescued the victim. He had sustained serious burn and assault injuries after he was tortured by his kidnappers.”

Anyone with information on any of the murders can anonymously call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send an SMS to Crime Line at 32211.