At least eight people were shot dead and five others wounded in separate shootings across Cape Town over the weekend, including a triple murder in Grassy Park, a deadly attack in Strandfontein and a mass shooting at the Bellville taxi rank that left a seven-year-old child injured.
The shootings, which occurred between Friday, 6 November, and Sunday, 8 November, have prompted multiple murder and attempted murder investigations.
In the latest incident, three men were killed and a fourth wounded in a drive-by shooting in Glen Close, Grassy Park, on Sunday evening.
Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Frederick van Wyk confirmed that Anti-Gang Unit detectives were investigating the shooting, which occurred at approximately 8.15pm.
According to police, four men aged between 22 and 39 were seated outside a property when a white Toyota Tazz stopped in front of the premises.
“The occupants of the vehicle opened fire on the victims before fleeing the scene. Three victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the fourth was transported to a medical facility for treatment,” Van Wyk said.
Police registered three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The motive remains under investigation.
One killed and two wounded in Strandfontein shooting
The Grassy Park shooting followed another deadly attack in Strandfontein on Friday afternoon, when a 31-year-old man was shot dead and two others wounded in St Helena Close.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 5.30pm, was captured on CCTV footage showing a silver Volkswagen Golf 5 pulling up outside a property before two armed suspects emerged and opened fire.
The footage shows a man washing down a garage floor before the gunmen began shooting and chasing fleeing victims.
Van Wyk confirmed that Strandfontein police were investigating one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
“Strandfontein police registered a murder and two counts of attempted murder following a shooting incident on Friday, 6 November at about 5.30pm at a premises in St Helena Close, Strandfontein, in which a 31-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded and two others injured.”
Police said the motive for the shooting was still being investigated.
Strandfontein Community Policing Forum chairperson Sandy Schuter-Flowers said the attack occurred as residents were preparing for an outdoor movie night nearby.
Schuter-Flowers, who assisted at the scene, appealed to residents not to circulate unverified claims linking the shooting to gang activity.
“It only causes upset, instils fear, and it frightens our community,” she said.
Provincial Taxi Violence Unit is investigating the incident
Meanwhile, four men were killed and two others, including a seven-year-old child, wounded in a mass shooting at the Bellville taxi rank on Saturday evening.
According to police, four gunmen travelling in two vehicles opened fire at approximately 9pm on the long-distance side of the rank.
The Provincial Taxi Violence Unit is investigating the incident, while police confirmed that a firearm linked to a taxi driver was confiscated.
At the time of the police statement, no arrests had been made.
The shooting occurred amid continued concerns over taxi-related violence in Cape Town, despite recent commitments by rival taxi associations to end hostilities.
Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku was expected to visit several taxi ranks on Monday to engage operators and commuters following the violence.
Police have appealed to anyone with information regarding the shootings to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS application.
