Even when their brutality is caught on camera and shown on television, officers seem to walk away scot-free
Two men were shot and killed and a third wounded, in three separate gang-related incidents, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said. One of the men was shot and killed on Saturday morning.
"In Fitchard Street, Helenvale a 30-year-old man passed away on the scene after two unknown men approached the deceased and his friend and started to shoot," Janse van Rensburg said. On Friday, a 23-year-old man was shot and wounded at the corner of Baaitjies Street and Kobus Road at 9.10am.
"…two unknown men opened fire on him and a friend while walking together… [the man] was taken to Livingston hospital for his injuries, but passed away on arrival."
Later in the day at Dewerille Street, a 22-year-old man was shot and wounded. "The victim was hit in his back and his calf, he was taken to Livingston hospital for treatment. As far as I know, he is in a stable condition."
Janse van Rensburg said they were experiencing gang-related problems in the area and have deployed more units there. A specialised unit to probe the crimes was also set up.
"We also ask that the community of this area work with [us] and do not remove evidence from the crime scenes as this hampers our investigation."
Western Cape gang shooting
In Athlone, Western Cape, two men were arrested on Saturday after a woman was shot dead and three children were wounded in a gang-related shooting.
Anne Marks, 59, was shot and killed on Friday during a shootout between two groups believed to be in gangs, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut said. "During the same incident, three children aged six, 14 and 16 were wounded and admitted to hospital. They too were caught in the crossfire," Traut said.
After the incident, three men were arrested and an unlicensed firearm was confiscated. "The third suspect was released as he could not be linked to the crime," said Traut.
A week ago, on March 8 and 9, gang violence in Mitchells Plain in the Western Cape claimed the lives of three people, two of those were teenagers. – Sapa