Cape Town Police are investigating suspected taxi-related shootings in Khayelitsha.
PHOTO: Fani Mahuntsi, Gallo Images
- Western Cape Police are investigating a suspected taxi-related shooting in Khayelitsha.
- Three men succumbed to gunshot wounds.
- Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said more boots were needed on the ground to reduce homicide rates in Khayelitsha.
Western Cape Police are investigating a suspected taxi-related shooting that left three dead and one injured.
The victims were killed in Khayelitsha on Saturday at around 8:15 p.m. at the corner of Idada and Nyebelele streets at Site C, said Col. Andrè Traut, a police spokesman.
“Detectives assigned to the Provincial Taxi Task Force are investigating the circumstances that left three men fatally injured and an innocent bystander shot. [wound]”, he added.
Two dead men were discovered next to a Toyota Quantum taxi, while a third was found inside the vehicle.
“According to reports, four unknown gunmen opened fire on the victims in what we believe is related to the taxi industry. The passerby, who suffered a gunshot wound, was admitted to hospital for treatment,” Traut said.
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Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen lamented the lack of resources dedicated to the Khayelitsha and Harare police stations by the national government.
He said:
From an intelligence perspective, there is a need for continuous improvement to prevent these incidents from occurring. From a resource perspective, I’m surprised there aren’t more SAPS boots on the ground in the area. Khayelitsha has been an area where several fatal mass shootings have occurred, but we have not seen the necessary resources being allocated.
Allen added that the reduction in homicide rates in the area in the previous fiscal year demonstrated the importance of effective policing.
“Second quarter crime statistics for FY 2022/23 have shown reductions in the homicide rate of 3.6 and 9.4% at Harare and Khayelitsha police stations compared to the same period last year. .
“Although these are small percentages, it is quite significant as it shows the impact of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan officers.”
