Police launch manhunt after seven men shot dead in Philippi East, Cape Town
Western Cape police have launched a large-scale manhunt following the deadly shooting of seven men in Philippi East on Friday night.
The suspects aged between 20 and 30, were shot dead in Road 53, Better Life, Philippi East, on Friday night.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel André Traut said detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit have been assigned to the case.
Traut said the detectives are pursuing every available lead to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
“Western Cape police management strongly condemns this senseless act of violence and confirms that the investigation has been prioritised to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice,” he said.
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Western Cape provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has expressed concern about the escalating violence and appealed to community members to assist police by sharing any information that could aid the investigation.
“Community cooperation is crucial in bringing those responsible to book and restoring safety to our neighbourhoods,” Patekile said.
Traut added that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application.
“All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality,” he said.
Last week, Gugulethu was rocked by another shooting in which three men were gunned down on Tuesday evening, October 6, deepening fears in a community already traumatised by ongoing violence.
According to Traut, a manhunt was launched following the fatal shooting in the Lotus informal settlement at around 6:30 p.m on October 7.
“Reports indicate the victims were attacked by unknown gunmen who opened fire before fleeing the scene. The motive for the attack is yet to be determined, and detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit are pursuing all leads to trace and apprehend those responsible,” Traut said.
He added that Western Cape police management “strongly condemns the senseless act of violence” and has prioritised the investigation to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have information that could assist the investigation are urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile app.
“All information received will be treated confidentially,” Traut added.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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