Messages urging residents to stay indoors circulated on social media this morning, (July 2) after a man was shot dead in Simonsig Street, Westridge, Mitchell’s Plain.
Police say Tyrese Plaaitjies (24) was found dead in the street with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, stomach and hands.
He was declared dead by paramedics, said Mitchell’s Plain station commander Brigadier Brian Muller.
“The 24-year-old deceased was apparently on his way to work when he was shot and killed,” said Muller. “The area remains volatile.”
He said SAPS and the City deployed additional resources to the area.
“Witnesses are requested to come forward,” he said.
According to a neighbourhood watch member, messages quickly circulated in WhatsApp groups urging residents to stay in doors due to a “war” after the shooting.
“Someone said now in one of the groups, there is a war going on and kids must stay inside,” one of the messages, which the neighbourhood watch member shared with the TygerBurger, read.
A video and images of Plaatjies’ body covered in a sheet circulated on the groups amid messages saying that more than 20 shots and a car chase had been heard.
The RLabs House, in Westridge, postponed its monthly First Thursdays event due to the violence. The community building organisation, which is situated a few streets away from where the shooting took place, issued a statement to its patrons announcing the postponement.
“While we deeply value First Thursday’s platform and presence to local creatives, our community’s well-being remains our top priority,” it said in a statement.
