Urgent call for justice in Marikana mass shooting investigation
Eight lives were lost in a Marikana shooting linked to extortion.
Image: File
Political pressure is mounting for progress in the investigation into the Marikana mass shooting in Philippi East, where eight people were killed in an attack believed to be linked to extortion-related violence.
The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape has called for urgent and decisive action from law enforcement, warning that organised criminal networks continue to operate while communities live in fear.
DA Western Cape spokesperson on police oversight and community safety, Benedicta van Minnen, said the attack highlighted the devastating impact of extortion syndicates on vulnerable communities.
“No resident of the Western Cape should live in fear of being gunned down in their own neighbourhood,” Van Minnen said, extending condolences to the families of those killed.
She pointed to the limited number of successful prosecutions in extortion cases in the province, despite hundreds of arrests, saying this raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of current interventions.
Van Minnen called on the South African Police Service to prioritise the investigation, ensure it was adequately resourced and pursue those responsible through the courts. She said the DA would also call SAPS Crime Intelligence leadership before the Standing Committee on Police Oversight and Community Safety to account for measures aimed at preventing similar attacks.
In response to media enquiries about the status of the investigation, SAPS spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said there were no new developments to report at this stage.
“Kindly be advised that this office has no new developments to report to the media at this stage,” Gwala said.
Police have confirmed that the case remains under investigation.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
Cape Argus