The Acting Police Commissioner in the Western Cape, Luyanda Damoyi, suspects that at least two gunmen were involved in the fatal mass shootings in Wesbank.

Nine victims, including a one-year-old baby, were shot in the early hours of Sunday morning, at around 04:40. A 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, who is said to have been pregnant, died on the scene of that shooting in Godetia Street.

Detectives are investigating the possibility that the incident may be gang related.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that a group of people were gathered outside a residence when unknown suspects opened fire on them. Evidence recovered at the scene suggests that more than one assailant may have been involved in the attack. The motive for the shooting is yet to be established and forms part of the ongoing investigation. The possibility that the incident may be gang-related is being investigated,” said Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut.

The Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, said the seven victims are reported to be in a stable condition, with the baby having been transferred to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

While investigations continue, more boots are on the ground monitoring the area.

“Policing in the area has been reinforced to prevent further violence and any possible retaliatory attacks. No arrests have been made, and the suspects are yet to be identified,” said Traut.

This incident follows days after two mass shootings in Tafelsig and Philippi East, in which a total of seven people were fatally shot.

READ MORE: More police in Tafelsig, Philippi East after fatal mass shootings – Smile 90.4FM

This has again put the effectiveness of Operation Prosper in the spotlight, with the chairperson of the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition, Dr Llwellyn MacMaster, noting that these incidents serve as a tragic reminder that the violence cannot be stopped by visible policing alone.

“The fact that these attacks occurred while the military is deployed demonstrates to us that South Africa needs a far more integrated strategy. A military presence is at best a temporary stabilising measure. It is not a long-term solution to a complex social and criminal justice crisis. Some of the things we’ve said so many times: to reduce this violence meaningfully, several urgent priorities must be addressed,” said MacMaster.

He added that social, economic and developmental ills in society need to be addressed at the same speed of visibile policing.