Police in Cape Town have confirmed a shooting incident in Kenilworth on Wednesday was gang-related.
Two people were declared dead at the scene in a white Toyota Yaris after unknown gunmen riddled the vehicle with bullets.
The men, aged 23, and 38, are from the Ghetto Kids gang in Hanover Park.
The third person who sustained moderate injuries was a woman who was also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting incident, along with a teenager.
A source told IOL said the men were murdered by a rival gang.
“The Cape Flats is heated at the moment and everyone is fair game. Things in the underworld are all over the place with gang bosses embroiled in these hectic court cases and then Geweld [George Thomas] being moved,” the source said.
Claims are that gang-related violence will increase across the Cape Flats as gangs fight for ranking, drugs, and money.
The provincial police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk said the motive for the shooting is gang-related.
“Circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Wednesday at about 1.30pm on the corner of Rosmead Avenue and Dingle/Jesmond Road, Claremont are under investigation. Claremont police are investigating two counts of murder and attempted murder.
“According to reports, two males, aged 23 and 38, were shot and fatally wounded and a woman (age unknown) was injured. A 16-year-old boy who was also in the vehicle sustained no injuries. The injured woman was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Motive is believed to be gang-related. This case docket will be transferred to the Anti-Gang Unit for further investigation. Investigation continues,” Van Wyk said.
Police urged anyone with information about this shooting incident to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Chairperson of the Claremont Sector 4 Sub-forum, Penny Owens told the Cape Argus the incident left residents in the area shocked.
She said this was a highly unusual incident for the sector and the greater Claremont.
“Due to the highly unusual nature of the incident, it did shock the community, as what would have happened if an innocent bystander or motorist was injured, and we are very grateful they were not. From the information we have ascertained that nobody injured in the shooting lives in the Claremont area,” Owens said.