Reporter – George April
Mitchells Plain:- A night of terror unfolded across parts of Cape Town’s gang-ridden suburbs, as separate shootings left one man dead and four others wounded.
In Montrose Park, Lentegeur, residents were jolted awake just after 10pm on Tuesday night by multiple gunshots echoing through Veronica Street. Three men were gunned down in the street in what residents fear was a gang-related hit.
“One of them died right there on the pavement,” said a resident who asked not to be named. “We’re too scared to say anything because the gangs are always watching.”
Emergency services declared one of the men dead on the scene, while the other two victims were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds. Their condition is currently unknown.
Just hours earlier, on the other side of the Cape Flats, Hanover Park was also plunged into chaos. Two men were shot and critically wounded in Galway Court in what is also believed to be gang-related violence.
“These shootings are happening so often, it feels like a war zone,” said Pastor Jerome Petersen, a community leader in Hanover Park. “The people are living in fear – children can’t play outside, and elderly people don’t leave their homes after dark.”
Ward councillor Maria Daniels of Mitchells Plain expressed her outrage, stating:
“We’ve been calling for more police visibility and better intelligence-led operations. These are not just numbers; these are someone’s son, brother, or father being shot down in our streets.”
Gang violence in Cape Town has escalated in recent weeks, with multiple shootings reported across several communities. SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Wesley Twigg confirmed investigations into both incidents are ongoing. No arrests have been made yet.
Community activists are once again calling for urgent intervention from national government and the deployment of specialised anti-gang units.
“These communities are crying for help,” said Tamika Hendricks, a youth worker in Lentegeur. “We need jobs, youth programs, and sports facilities to get our children away from gangsterism – not more empty promises.”
Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Callers can remain anonymous.
