Bishop Lavis residents want more police resources, after 4 killed

Following a fatal shooting incident in which four people, including an elderly woman, were killed in Bishop Lavis, residents are calling on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to deploy more resources.

The victims were gunned down in a residence on Friday evening.

The Bishop Lavis Crime Prevention Forum called for immediate action from the police, especially in terms of additional deployment, as the incident happened shortly after another shooting nearby.

BLCPF chairperson, Graham Lindhorst, said a shooting was noted by police as an attempted murder and unrelated to the later shooting.

The BLCPF has further urged the SAPS to implement stronger measures to address gang activity in the area.

“We call on SAPS in the area to increase their visibility. We also call on SAPS to be more vigilant and to make sure that they prevent this sort of killing,” said Lindhorst.

He recalled a similar mass shooting that had taken place in Bishop Lavis a few months ago, where seven people were killed.

Currently, Lindhorst has advised of an escalation in gang activity in recent days, culminating in the most recent fatal incident. He said this must be addressed.

“Gang-related crimes has really flared up within the precinct, and SAPS needs to look at that,” Lindhorst said.

The BLCPF is also appealing to the Western Cape Government to consider long-term social interventions to help reduce crime in the area.