6 Shot Dead in Khayelisha Mass Shooting, Police Say Gangsterism and Extortion Have Not Been Ruled Out

• Six people were gunned down in two separate mass shootings in the Western Cape over the weekend
• Three men aged between 34 and 50 were shot and killed on the corner of Nyebelele and Ntango streets
• Gangsterism and extortion have not been ruled out, and police are still searching for clues

CAPE TOWN - Two separate mass shootings in the Western Cape claimed the lives of six people. The motive for the horrific mass killing is unknown at this stage. However, there has been a string of mass murders throughout the country recently.

Three men aged between 34 and 50 were shot and killed on the corner of Nyebelele and Ntango streets. According to SABC News, two others were gunned down in Makhaza and Harare.

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Police believe the killings could be related to the drug trade. Gangsterism and extortion have not been ruled out, and police are still searching for clues. Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekil said police in the area are following up on all possible leads to get to the bottom of the violent crimes.

Police Spokesperson Andrè Traut told IOL the victims who were shot and killed at an informal dwelling in Riverview are believed to be Lesotho nationals. He appeals to community members to come forward with information that can assist the police with their investigations into the case.

Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Traut said that at the time of the triple murder in Khayelitsha, adequate resources were deployed, and various crime initiatives were applied.

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“The principle of sector policing was in place and all the sectors of Khayelitsha were covered by patrols, as well as additional deployments of other units,” he said.

When questioned about what measures police will apply to prevent another mass killing from occurring, Traut said:

“Serious and violent crimes are high on the priority list of the Western Cape police, and the latest incidents of mass murders are cause for concern. Our resources are deployed according to crime patterns, in hotspots and during vulnerable times, these resources are bolstered by additional deployments such as Operation Restore and the various other operational units.”

He added that police also depend on participation from residents to assist in creating safer communities. Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.

South Africans react to the string of horrific killings:

@jokerunl said:

"Where is Cele so he can tell us about how he struggled?"

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@XMboxo wrote:

"Yeah, neh it's bad really."

@naidooj762 commented:

"Mr Cele, why are more of our people killed? What motivation do you need before you do something?"

@MpheniMulayo added:

"#Pray4SouthAfrica these killings have to end! Now!"

Police commissioner says there's no link between recent mass shootings during crime imbizo

In a related matter, Briefly News also reported National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola believes that the recent spate of shootings in Johannesburg is isolated. The commissioner, together with Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela and Police Minister Bheki Cele, visited Alexandra Township for a crime imbizo.

A matric learner was among the four people who were shot and killed in the Thembelihle informal settlement in Lenasia, South of Johannesburg on Saturday, 16 July.

Source: Briefly News