The fatal shooting of three people in Lentegeur, including an e-hailing driver, has sparked outrage among community leaders, who are demanding swift justice and decisive action against gang violence on the Cape Flats.
The victims were gunned down at approximately 11:10 on Tuesday at the intersection of Merrydale Avenue and Highlands Drive.
READ MORE: Gang shooting in Lentegeur claims three lives
Michael Jacobs, chairperson of the Lentegeur Community Police Forum (CPF), condemned the incident, describing it as a “horrific” act.
He called for national intervention, specifically calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to act on the gang violence on the Cape Flats. He also urged the Western Cape SAPS to deploy “extra forces” to stabilise the area and bring those responsible to justice.
He even called on supposed perpetrators to bring an end to the senseless killings.
“This situation can no longer be tolerated by the community of Lentegeur, and we call on these gangsters to stop their shooting activity, as innocent people are also getting caught into the crossfire,” said Jacobs.
Linda Jones of the Mitchells Plain CPF also expressed heartbreak over the killings, especially that of the e-hailing driver. Jones said the man likely had no knowledge that Tuesday’s events would unfold as it did, and was simply doing his job for the day.
“Here’s a man, ordinary man, who just wanted to earn a living. He didn’t know what’s going to happen. He didn’t know that they were targeted or nothing like that… That’s so tragic that these things continue to happen in Mitchell’s Plain,” said Jones.
But she stressed that all lives lost, regardless of background, must be acknowledged.
“According to our constitution, no man has the right to take a life. Yet lives are being taken daily.”
Jones believes sweeping reforms to South Africa’s criminal justice system, especially laws on bail, are needed.
“We are hurt, we are broken, and we are tired… We cannot continue in this manner as a community. We need change, and we need change today.”
SAPS has appealed to the public for assistance, encouraging anyone with information to contact Crime Stop.
