Western Cape police are investigating a mass shooting that left three men dead and two others wounded in Gugulethu on Wednesday night.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut, the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit has opened cases of triple murder and attempted double murder.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 11pm in Moletsane Street, New Crossroads.

“Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the bodies of three men with gunshot wounds in a bedroom. Two other male victims had also sustained gunshot wounds and were already transported to a medical facility for treatment,” Traut said.

Preliminary information indicates that four armed suspects entered the premises and opened fire on the victims before fleeing the scene.

Several cellphones and a firearm belonging to one of the victims were reported stolen.

“All five victims are believed to be in their thirties. The motive for the attack is still under investigation,” Traut added.

The Western Cape Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, condemned the incident and said detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit were pursuing those responsible.

“The proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition remains a big contributor to horrific crimes like this,” Marais said.

“I urge the community to support the South African Police Service in their investigation and report any information that may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.”

Gugulethu Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Deon Makiti said the forum remained deeply concerned by the rise in gun-related violence in the area.

“We are frustrated, especially after the engagement we had with the provincial police management regarding the shootings in our community,” Makiti said.

“We will ask for another meeting where we will fan out our frustrations and concerns.”

Makiti said fear continues to grow in the community.

“We have the elderly, we have children and we are worried that this is not about to stop as gunshots go off all the time,” he said.

“The police statement tells you that this could be gang-related because one of the victims had a gun. This could be linked to a shooting that happened over the weekend.”

The incident follows another shooting on Tuesday night in Better Life, Philippi East, where a six-year-old boy was killed and two others were wounded.

The two older victims were taken to hospital for treatment, while the child died at the scene.

The Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit has appealed to anyone with information related to the Gugulethu shooting to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application. Information can be submitted anonymously and will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za 

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