Four individuals, including two children, were critically injured in a gang-related shooting on Viooljie Street, Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, on Saturday evening.
Lentegeur shooting: Here’s everything we know
The incident occurred around 20:54 and has left the community in shock.
According to preliminary reports, gunfire erupted in the area, and four victims, including two children, were struck by stray bullets.
All four are currently in critical condition. The motive for the shooting appears to be linked to gang retaliation following the burial of a gang leader earlier in the day.
Authorities have confirmed that the incident is unrelated to a separate house fire near Cornflower Street, which was caused by a gas bottle explosion.
The shooting is the latest escalation in the ongoing gang violence in Lentegeur and surrounding Cape Flats communities, an issue that has increasingly gripped the area in recent weeks.
JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, addressed the situation hours before the incident, describing the community as being in “absolute terror” due to the surge in gang-related activity.
Smith revealed that an additional 100 officers from various city enforcement units have been deployed to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in stabilising the situation.
In his statement, Smith emphasised the urgency of taking more robust actions to combat gang violence, noting that increased collaboration with SAPS is being pursued.
“For the gang members out there causing this terror and believing they have been untouchable until now, you should have enjoyed your Christmas past. It will be the last one you have in a long time, that isn’t from behind bars,” Smith stated.
Authorities are investigating the incident, with SAPS focusing on gathering intelligence and identifying the perpetrators involved in the shooting.