Cape Town - A grandmother has become the latest victim in what is alleged to be retaliation shootings among gangs in Manenberg.
Janup Peterson, 69, was shot and wounded on Thursday while her grandson, Nashief Peterson, was shot and killed just after 6am.
Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, confirmed the latest casualties came after several shootings in the area this week, including a crossfire in front of the Manenberg police station on Wednesday.
“Yesterday (Thursday) at 6.30am, a 33-year-old man was fatally wounded while his 69-year-old mother was wounded in her back. She was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The motive for the shooting incidents are suspected to be gang-related,” said Twigg.
According to Twigg, shootings escalated after the gang shootout in front of the police station on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm along Duinefontein Road.
“This shooting led the conflict into another gang’s turf, which has now led to a retaliation by the other gangs in the area,” said Twigg.
On Wednesday evening, three people – aged 21, 19 and 25 – were shot in Peta Court. The 21-year-old died, confirmed Twigg.
“At 9.30pm, SAPS responded to another shooting incident in Renoster Road.
“It is alleged that the victim had an argument with his assailant. Several shots were fired at him at close range. The victim collapsed on the bed and succumb to five gunshot wounds to his back.
“A total of two murders and several attempted murders have been registered for investigation... The motive for the shooting incidents is suspected to be gang-related,” said Twigg.
Community activist, Roegshanda Pascoe, condemned law enforcement officers for not acting on “crime patterns that occur at this time of year”.
“The only people who have not seen this pattern yet is our security (forces) who don’t notice how this transpires.
“As an activist this time of year, we know that it’s ‘business season’ also and you must know that guns and drugs are coming into the community and it’s time to make money.
“The one thing that is crazy is that in my fight to get relocated from Manenberg, also speaks to the fact that the CIty of Cape Town has an obligation to keep people in areas like Manenberg safe.
They must also come up with preventative plans, but it hasn’t been happening.
“They haven’t kept the people safe,” said Pascoe.
Twigg said SAPS and other law enforcement agencies were deployed to the affected area and would remain on the ground “until we are satisfied that law and order have been restored.
Our detectives are working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to book”.
Anyone with information about these shootings is urged to contact Manenberg SAPS on 021 699 9400 or report it anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Cape Times