PE gang war claims another victim

The death toll in a series of gang shootings in Port Elizabeth’s northern areas over the past month rose to nine yesterday after a 24-year-old man was shot dead.

The shooting came less than 24 hours after Yannivk Jacobs, 30, was shot and killed after opening the front door of her house in Steenbok Street in Gelvandale on Tuesday night.

The latest shooting unfolded along Standford Road, opposite an area known by locals as Die Gaat – which is in the centre of Helenvale, notoriously known for its drug posts and gang activities.

At the scene, the body of a man was lying in the road while community members looked on. His body was not even cold before more shots rang out while reporters were on the scene.

Police called for back up and vehicles rushed to another shooting nearby.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said it was alleged that a navy blue golf with three occupants was driving on Standford Road when the car broke down near Die Gaat.

Naidu said one occupant alighted and got into a taxi and drove off, while the other two remained in the vehicle.

It is alleged that a gold VW Golf stopped nearby and five occupants got out.

Naidu said two suspects approached the vehicle and started shooting.

A 24-year-old man was shot in the neck and died on the scene, while a 22-year-old man was shot multiple times in his legs and was taken to hospital.

Earlier this month, Ruaan Willemse, eight, Deacon van Rooyen, 16, and Chadwin Calvert, 17, died in a hail of bullets in a house in Capulet Street in Booysens Park. – ANA