Calls for public assistance as extortionists gun down 8 people in Philippi East
The Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and police in the Western Cape have called on the members of the public to come forward with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects in the extortion-linked mass shooting.
The CPFs also condemned the incident and urged communities to report extortion attempts at the earliest possible stage.
According to the Western Cape police, three suspects opened fire at a tavern in the Marikana informal settlement, in Philippi East, Cape Town, in the early hours of Saturday.
Abie Isaacs, Chairperson of Cape Flats Safety Forum (CFSF), said “we” condemn the recent incident in the strongest terms, and urge the community to come forward with any information on any crime-related matters.
“We place the following demands: The Premier (Alan Winde) to declare a state of emergency, as this mandate falls within his power; we further call for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to be deployed as a force multiplier, the establishment of a commission to look deeper into gun violence, and an integrated intervention in affected areas,” Isaacs said.
Rafique Foflonker, spokesperson of the Western Cape Provincial CPF Board, said they are extremely concerned and dismayed at the brutality of the killing at the tavern.
“We are calling on the community to come forward with the information that can help the SAPS to track down the killers and bring them to justice,” Foflonker said.
He encouraged the use of a toll-free extortion hotline (0800 31 44 44), where individuals can provide anonymous tips without fear of retaliation.
“The community does not need to provide their names. They just have to provide information about where or when these crimes are committed, or are going to be committed, or if they know of business premises that are currently being extorted. The special team will then do whatever they need to do to sort the situation out,” he stated.
Foflonker said in the future they will be looking at conducting workshops with tavern owners and spaza shop owners regarding extortion.
“In the past, the CPF had addressed the business owners in various areas concerning extortion, and we have had media campaigns around extortion. We will revive those workshops again,” he said.
He encouraged business owners to report early extortion attempts because it becomes easier to prevent them, whereas it is more difficult to intervene and solve the extortion after it has been running for a while.
Foflonker urged community members to speak to the station commanders one-on-one if they have something serious they want to share.
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said that the Serious Violent Crimes detectives are looking for the three known suspects who are still at large.
“The shooting incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning and is believed to be linked to the crime of extortion. Six victims died on the scene, one on the way to hospital, and the other after arriving at a medical facility. Two other victims sustained serious injuries due to the shooting. Of the eight deceased persons, one is a 43-year-old woman who was the owner of the illegal liquor outlet,” Traut stated.
The police have called for anyone with information that may assist to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or share information anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
gcwalisile.khanyile@inl.co.za