A wave of shock and grief has engulfed the community of Bridgetown in Athlone on the Cape Flats following a horrific shooting on Tuesday night that claimed the lives of three people, including a nine-month-old infant.
According to police reports, three unknown gunmen forcibly entered a residence in Sunbird Court and opened fire. The attack left three people dead and two others wounded, who have since been hospitalized. The deceased have been identified as two women, aged 25 and 36, and the young child.
Authorities have confirmed that a manhunt is underway for the three suspects, who remain at large.
Speaking from the scene, the Chairperson of the local Community Policing Forum (CPF), Mr. Vernon Piedt, expressed his dismay at the incident. While he was not present during the shooting, he noted that this is not the first time violence has visited that specific address.
“It’s terrible for me that they could come into our house and shoot people,” said Mr. Piedt. “Out of my experience or knowledge, this is not the first time that people have been shot here. Four or five years ago, two males were shot and killed in this particular house.”
Mr. Piedt stated that he had engaged with community members regarding the motive. According to residents, the incident is believed to be neither drug- nor gang-related in the traditional sense. However, he described the premises as a “house open” where individuals could congregate to smoke drugs.
“The challenge in there lies that anybody that has drugs can come in here and you don’t know who the people are,” he explained. “It could be that somebody has owed somebody drug money and maybe they’ve heard the guys in here and they came to shoot. That is the unfortunate part.”
The CPF leader used the opportunity to criticize the effectiveness of government intervention following recent announcements regarding the deployment of the army to crime-ridden areas. He argued that the solution lies within the community itself.
“My question is, how is that going to help us?” Mr. Piedt asked. “Civilians should take over. Our community should stand up now and say enough is enough. Let us work hand in hand. Let us claim back our areas because people know who they are. People know who the drug dealers are. People know who the shooters are.”
Mr. Piedt called on residents to report criminal activity and hold authorities accountable, adding that the death of a baby highlights the ruthlessness of the perpetrators.
“The gunman has no remorse. He has nothing but killing because that’s his order. We as a community should stand up with immediate effect and say we have had enough,” he concluded.
Police have urged anyone with information regarding the suspects’ whereabouts to come forward as the investigation continues.