Cape Town Reels as Seven Die in 24 Hours of Relentless Shootings
Cape Town – A wave of violence has swept through Cape Town, leaving seven people dead in a series of shootings that occurred within a 24-hour period. The grim tally includes an off-duty police officer, highlighting the brazen nature of the attacks.
The first incident took place in Browns Farm on Monday night, claiming the life of a 48-year-old police officer. The officer, who was attached to the Rapid Rail Unit in Pinelands, was allegedly targeted by two unidentified suspects.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa provided details of the initial shooting, stating: "It is alleged that two yet-to-be identified suspects shot the 48-year-old victim in the upper body and fled. He died on the scene."
The Hawks have launched an investigation into the officer's murder, but no arrests have been made thus far. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
In a separate incident in the early hours of Tuesday, police were called to Melck Street in Ndabeni following reports of a shooting. The discovery was made after a passerby alerted Maitland police to a dog lying in a pool of blood.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a harrowing scene inside an informal dwelling. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut described the grim discovery: "Maitland police were alerted by a passerby who reported a dog lying in a pool of blood. Upon responding, members discovered three women aged between 20 and 52, and an adult male, inside an informal dwelling. All four victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds and were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel."
No arrests have been made in connection with the Ndabeni shooting, and the investigation is ongoing. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.
Adding to the city's woes, another shooting occurred just five minutes later at the Maitland cemetery in Voortrekker Road. Police responded to the scene to find four men with gunshot wounds.
Traut provided details of the cemetery shooting: "Four men were found with gunshot wounds. Two men, aged 35 and 36, were declared dead on the scene."
The remaining two victims, aged 31 and 32, were transported to a medical facility for urgent treatment. Their current condition is unknown.
"The motive for this attack is believed to be gang-related," Traut stated. "Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. No arrests have yet been effected."
The series of shootings has placed immense pressure on law enforcement agencies in Cape Town, as they grapple with the surge in violent crime. The investigations into all three incidents are ongoing, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
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