Gang-ridden Lavender Hill has claimed another life - this time a 29-year-old man was shot eight times in the neck and face.
|||CApe Town - Gang-ridden Lavender Hill has claimed another life - this time a 29-year-old man, who was shot eight times in the neck and face on Wednesday night.
Ayesha Davids, a member of the Community Police Forum, said the man was well known in the area.
“He wasn’t a gangster, he was someone who used to work in people’s yards and he came from St Montague Village. Everyone liked him. He was a good person who had a lot of respect for older people. People say it was a Junkie Funkies gang member who shot him eight times in the neck and face.”
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said police were called to the incident at 6.10pm on Wednesday.
“Steenberg SAPS members received a complaint of murder at St Bernard Road, Lavender Hill. Upon their arrival they found a 29-year-old victim with several gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he died upon arrival due to the extent of his injuries.”
There have not been any arrests.
In June, two men, aged 18 and 31, were shot dead in Grindel Crescent, Lavender Hill just after 10pm. Two men, both aged 19, were also wounded in the incident.
In May, two men were shot and killed in separate incidents in the area, one of whom was shot at least 12 times.
Davids said children were left traumatised after the shooting this week.
“It’s very tense at the moment. This is the second shooting this week. Someone was also shot on Tuesday.
“Gang fights between Junkie Funkies, the Mongrels and Corner Boys were quiet for a while, but it picked up again two weeks ago.”
Meanwhile, in Manenberg, Washeema Pierie, the 21-year-old who was wounded in crossfire between the Americans and the Hard Livings earlier this week, said she felt a bit safer now that Renoster Road had constant police supervision.
The road has been the scene of several shootings in the past month, where two teens were shot dead and three wounded.
The mother of two said: “ I feel a bit safer because the police vans are outside and there are always police around the area, but I’m also scared that if the police goes, the shooting will start again.”
Heightened police presence, which included a bulletproof Nyala in the area, has resulted in a quietening of the gangs.
Other residents in Renoster Road said it was the first time they had been able to sleep peacefully for the past month.
Faeeza Majiet said: “We are feeling safe because the police are staying here the whole night. Our children were scared, but now they’re playing outside and the people are also camping outside.”
In another gang-infested area - Hanover Park - an alleged Americans gang member was buried on Thursday.
The police’s tactical response units patrolled the area and arrested three suspects who were caught in possession of a 7.65 Beretta, a toy gun, four suspected stolen cellphones, tik, mandrax, dagga and an unconfirmed amount of money.
Lieutenant Lance Goliath, of Philippi police station, confirmed that another four suspects were arrested for suspected drug dealing and the illegal possession of a 9mm firearm.
natasha.bezuidenhout@inl.co.za
Cape Argus