Cape Town - Manenberg residents fear retaliation shootings will continue over the festive period amid a raging war between opposing factions in the Americans gang.
The gunfights between the Americans and a splinter grouping known as the No Fears resulted in two more murders over the weekend, as Metro Police chased after the shooters.
Manenberg police station commander, Brigadier Jayce Naidoo, said in the most recent shooting, rival gangs asked their targets for water before firing a hail of bullets at them.
“Shortly after midnight on Friday, three males, aged 33, 31 and 36, came under attack as they sat at an address in Karen Court, leaving two with fatal gunshot wounds to the face while the third male was shot in his arms.
“Three males knocked on the back gate asking for water and as they fetched water the suspects opened fire on them.”
The shooters fled the scene and ran towards the Manenberg traffic circle on The Downs Road, but a group of Metro Police officers patrolling nearby heard the gun shots and gave chase after the three men.
“They cornered the 33-year-old male on the circle and on searching the suspect found 25 rounds of ammunition in his possession.
“A case of murder and attempted murder has been opened for investigation. The Manenberg SAPS serious violent crimes unit has been tasked to arrest the outstanding two suspects.”
Pastor Vernon Visagie of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) said: “There are fears there will be more retaliation attacks and right now the situation is hopeless. The children have just finished exams and can’t even relax because of the shootings.
“We hope it won’t continue over the Christmas period but there are definite fears it will. We applaud the quick action by Metro Police and this shows there are enough resources in Manenberg. There have been so many interventions but the problems persists.”