Residents of Mitchells Plain are living in fear as they brace for a possible wave of retaliation shootings this weekend, following a string of fatal gang-related attacks on Thursday that left five dead and seven injured.
Police confirmed that the shootings, which occurred in Beacon Valley, Tafelsig, and the Town Centre area, are believed to be linked to ongoing turf wars between rival gangs. No arrests have been made, but the Anti-Gang Unit is investigating, and additional officers have been deployed in an effort to curb further violence.
READ MORE: Five killed and seven injured in Mitchells Plain shooting incidents
However, locals say they are not reassured – and instead are preparing for more gunfire. They suspect possible retaliation.
“Now they’re going to retaliate because the people they shot in East Ridge is already planning for the weekend,” said Beacon Valley resident and activist Venetia Orgill.
The atmosphere in the community is described as tense and grim, especially after one of the victims, a mother, was gunned down near a tuckshop while out buying bread and milk.
“It’s a sombre feeling over Beacon Valley, because it’s so near home,” Orgill said.
Orgill expressed frustration at the perceived lack of police action, describing repeated raids that fail to result in arrests.
“The cops do nothing. The cops really do absolutely nothing… they raid and come and traumatise us three, four times a week… and they get back in their car and they drive away.”
Linda Jones, spokesperson for the Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum, warned that gang violence is being fuelled by power struggles and a lack of meaningful intervention.
“They fight to gain the power over the next gang… We cannot just be standing by and watching our children die.”
Jones called on the government to take decisive action.
“Bring in the army, bring in sustainability to our communities. That is our plea.”
