Mass shooting leaves IY shocked

Seven suspects have been arrested for the mass shooting that claimed the lives of two people and wounded five others in Imizamo Yethu last week.

Hout Bay police confirmed that two counts of murder and five attempted murders have been registered, and the suspects, aged between 19 and 31, will appear at the Wynberg Magistrate's court once charged.

"We are not sure who is next, and everybody is worried," said a resident living close to the scene of the crime on OR Tambo Road. 

These are the thoughts of many of the Imizamo Yethu residents who have been left shocked by the incident. 

Several residents in the area told Sentinel News that a sense of panic is rippling through the community after the news of the mass shooting surfaced. Residents said they were unclear about the motive, and the area feels tense. 

"We have been staying indoors, because you don't know when or if they might come back, or people will come for revenge. When that happens, innocent people are in the middle and get hurt," said a resident who lives close to where two bodies were discovered last week.

"We heard the commotion during the night, and the shots sounded like somebody was busy putting nails into the roof sheets. But when we woke up, it was gruesome and scary," the resident said, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

A young mother of two, who also wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, also said a sense of fear has started to creep into the community, and residents are not sure of where the tension started.

"We haven't had an incident like this, and for me, being new in IY, my children are new here too and just started their schooling. So to hear about this is scary, and now to live in it is even more concerning," the resident said, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

"My children have never been this bored inside the house, but I'm sorry, I will rather have you bored than dead."

Police said they responded to a complaint received on Thursday, just after 8 pm, that four victims were brought to the Hout Bay Fire Department for medical treatment, for gunshot wounds.

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, said the injured members pointed out that two more people were still at the location where they were shot.

When police arrived at OR Tambo Road, they found two lifeless bodies and later discovered the fifth injured victim, who was airlifted to the hospital for urgent medical attention.  

"The shooting claimed the lives of two adult males and injured five males, aged between 22 and 43," Captain Van Wyk said.

"The victims informed the members that there are two people at the mentioned address who are presumably deceased. The members went to the address and found two bodies with gunshot wounds laying on the ground. It was later found that a fifth victim who was also injured."

Community leader Kenny Tokwe said many remained puzzled and are trying to piece together what could have happened.

"People are just panicking now and there are all sorts of things going around, but generally, people are just afraid, because you don't want to be caught in a crossfire or have people attack you for no reason as well," he said.

Mr Tokwe said some allegations were made that the incident was related to the taxi violence and some claim it's extortion, but general, the confusion is creating "panic".

"There are many people asking questions and want to know what is happening. It's bad enough people don't know the motive behind the murder, now they still have to wait for answers," Mr Tokwe said.

"By the time they receive their answers, it might be too late and another life could be lost."

Meanwhile, Hout Bay police registered two counts of murder and five attempted murders, arresting seven suspects in the process. 

Captain Van Wyk said the motive for the shooting incident has yet to be determined.

"The shooting incident forms part of the police's continued investigation. Seven suspects aged between 19 and 31 were arrested, and two firearms were recovered. These firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing," Captain Van Wyk said..