Police launch manhunt following Gugulethu mass shooting
The community of Kanana informal settlements in Gugulethu with ward councillor, Bongani Ngcombolo woke up to the news that seven people had been killed.
Image: Phiri Cawe
The victims of the mass shooting were transported to the government mortuary.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, at the scene of a mass shooting.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Seven people were shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday, June 28, in a mass shooting in Kanana informal settlement, Gugulethu.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape has since launched a manhunt for the suspect or suspects involved.
The incident occurred around 3.30am. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, who visited the scene, said the victims were aged between 26 and 30, and most were not from Gugulethu.
“They are from Nyanga, and the one who was about 200 metres from here is from Delft. We don’t yet know the motive for the shooting, but we are looking for people who can assist us in the investigation,” he said.
Lieutenant General Patekile said the police remain concerned about the city’s murder rate and the ongoing threat of mass shootings.
“Any murder is a concern to us. However, we have not had mass shootings of this nature for a while,” he said.
He said police are focusing on removing illegal firearms, including those that were never surrendered after the registered owners had died.
He said possible motives for the shooting included extortion, gang-related violence or taxi conflicts.
“There’s always a possibility of extortion, taxi violence, or gang-related crime. Any of these three are a possibility for now,” he said.
Local councillor Bongani Ngcombolo expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of progress in tackling gangsterism and violent crime in the area.
“I have a feeling that not much is done to fight extortion and gang violence. But when it comes to tenders, the government does a lot. That makes me suspect that in tenders, politicians and those who govern have a share. They do not care about life in the townships and Cape Flats,” he said.
Mr Ngcombolo said residents live in fear and are reluctant to report crimes because of the risks involved.
“It is a worry and a concern. My people are living in fear. Even if they know who is behind the crimes, it is not easy to come forward because witnesses are killed. We cannot blame people for not informing the police because they know they will die at the end of the day,” he said.
Police spokesperson Colonel André Traut said investigators are looking for two men who may be able to assist with the investigation.
They are not considered suspects at this stage. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Sithembele Sambunjelwa on 073 416 5224.