- A mass shooting in Bishop Lavis has left seven people dead after a 26-year-old woman succumbed to injuries this morning.
- The shooting is believed to be gang-related, prompting a police investigation and heightened security.
- The incident adds to an alarming rise in violence in the area, with authorities dedicating more resources to address gang conflict.
The death toll after the massacre in Bishop Lavis last night has risen to seven after a 26-year-old woman who sustained serious head injuries died this morning.
Six persons died last night after a gunman entered a Wendy house last night and shot at the people inside. Four men and two women were killed on the scene while others were rushed to hospital, where the woman passed away this morning.
According to Brigadier Novela Potelwa, police spokesperson, at approximately 20:40 an armed suspect entered an informal dwelling in Kogelberg Street and fired several shots at the occupants. “Murder and attempted murder dockets were opened for investigation with Anti-Gang Unit detectives investigating the cases. Three people were arrested.
“The ages of the deceased persons are between 24 and 55,” says Potelwa.
The Bishop Lavis shooting follows another shooting where five people were shot and killed in Atlantis early on Wednesday evening.
In the meantime, the Western Cape police sent reinforcements into Bishop Lavis to curb what is believed to be escalating gang violence. “Western Cape provincial commissioner, Lt General Thembisile Patekile has ordered that Anti-Gang Unit detectives to spare no resources in getting to the perpetrators of the two heinous acts. Both shooting incidents are believed to be gang related,” says Potelwa.
Angus McKenzie, local ward councillor, says the shootings are possibly part of a gang war taking place in Valhalla Park and Bishop Lavis. “There are daily shootings and murders in this area,” says McKenzie.
