Amid a flare-up in gang-related shootings, Kensington police have appealed for calm in the area and said residents have nothing to fear.
On Saturday 12 July, a man was shot and killed in the 6th Avenue informal settlement.
The next day, a bystander was shot and wounded during another shooting in Glider Crescent.
The incidents have sparked fear and panic among residents.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of safety, told People’s Post they felt “unsafe”.
“It feels like the shooting is happening on your doorstep. We are traumatised. Whenever you drive in the area, you take a detour and don’t drive your normal route because you don’t know when they will strike,” explained the resident and suggested a divine intervention. “We pray for peace and calm in the community.”
Meanwhile, Lt Col Nkosinathi Losini, station commander, confirmed that police were investigating a murder and attempted murder case.
“It is believed that a gunman entered the informal settlement and shot the deceased. He has yet to be arrested.”
According to Losini, the situation has “stabilised”.
“We are calling on residents to remain calm, don’t be afraid. We have everything under control. We have deployed extra law enforcement to the area.”
In a separate incident, Losini said a man believed to be in his 30’s was arrested after he was caught with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates’ court today (15 July). The matter was postponed and “the suspect will remain in custody at Pollsmoor Prison,” explained Losini.
In response to the ongoing violence, Ward 56 councillor Cheslyn Steenberg penned an impassioned letter to the City’s Safety and Security Directorate and the police.
He appealed for the deployment of law enforcement agencies.
“I write to you for your urgent intervention with the relevant allocation of resources, human, technology and otherwise to ensure that this gang violence is stopped. Further to this, I call upon the SAPS to use its internal or external stakeholders and start to investigate and prosecute gang members using the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
“In conclusion, requesting this assistance on behalf of the people of Ward 56, we need proactive action and not reactive,” read the letter.
