More lives lost as shootings continue
In less than 24 hours, three shooting incidents left three people dead in Hangberg last weekend, with the youngest victim being only 13 years old.
On Friday August 5, at about 23.35pm, one man was fatally shot and another injured in Salmander Road.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Frederich van Wyk confirmed that Hout Bay police were now investigating a murder and attempted murder case.
“The injured victim was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment,” he said.
A few hours later, on Saturday August 6, a 22-year-old man was also killed in Salmander Road.
“Circumstances surrounding this shooting incident are under investigation. According to reports, SAPS members were attending a crime scene in Salmander Road, when they heard gunshots in the area. They immediately went in the direction of the shots to investigate and found the deceased laying in the road,” Captain Van Wyk said.
There are also reports of another shooting involving a 13-year-old victim also being shot and killed hours after the second killing, making it a deadly few hours in the small fishing village.
Provincial and Hout Bay police were unable to confirm the exact details of the third shooting incident at the time of going to print.
The latest wave of killings has put locals on edge, with already two marches held since the third killing took place.
On Women’s Day (Tuesday August 9), the Hangberg community once again came together and marched to the Hangberg Sports Ground to show their frustration.
Hangberg resident, Vanessa Rylands, said the recent shootings has forced people to live in fear.
“We fear for our lives and we fear for our children’s lives even more. These senseless killings, especially our children, are only creating more problems for us,” the concerned mother of three said.
“People of Hangberg have had enough and we want to see our streets cleaned from all this scum.”
Hout Bay Community Police Forum chairperson, Anthony Chemaly, said they are “very concerned” about the shootings.
“We are very concerned at the number of gun-related murders that are taking place in Hout Bay and have requested that the Anti Gang Unit be allocated to our area to assist in investigation and actions,” he said.
The CPF have also now requested Hout Bay police to facilitate a community meeting with the Hangberg community to discuss the issues currently being experienced there.
Mr Chemaly was asked whether this was an opportunity to place more focus on youth, he replied: "I have had a chat to a community leader and will facilitate once I’m back in Hout Bay next week to see what we can do to get more involvement.“
He suggested that the CPF leadership needed to be run by representatives from Hangberg and IY.
“I want to handover to a chair/vice chair that sits in these communities,” Mr Chemaly said.
Sentinel News made numerous efforts to gain comment from Hout Bay Police regarding the rate of shootings and murders, but they failed to respond at the time of going to print.
- BLOB Anyone with any information about these shooting incidents can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.