The police in Cape Town have arrested 11 suspects in the early hours of Monday, May 17, for their alleged involvement in a series of shooting incidents in Khayelitsha on Saturday, May 15. Thirteen people were killed and several injured. The shootings allegedly occurred early Saturday morning and continued throughout the day.
#sapsWC Update: #SAPS detain 11 suspects for Khayelitsha murders. The Western Cape police’s integrated task team has detained 11 suspects in the early hours of Monday morning. MEhttps://t.co/JIndk1K6e0 pic.twitter.com/qM8ns4dACW
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) May 17, 2021
As reported by EWN, the attacks are alleged to be retaliation after a man was murdered in the RR informal Section on Saturday. The body of a man was discovered in Banzi Street with several gunshot wounds, in a second incident, two Somali nationals were shot at T110 on Saturday afternoon. One was declared dead on the scene, while the other was seriously injured and rushed to a nearby medical facility, IOL reported. Three other males were also shot dead in the RR section along with two other Somali nationals who were shot close to a spaza shop in the area. One died on the scene while the other was transported to a hospital where he later died.
According to a police statement, a task team comprising of Lockdown II forces, intelligence officials, organised crime detectives and a combat contingent caught suspects off guard at a hotel in Sea Point at about 3:00 in the morning. The suspects are currently being questioned and once charged they will face murder and attempted murder charges. However, as the investigations progress more charges could be added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz along with other police delegates held a media briefing at the Khayelitsha Police Station in Site B on Monday.
Fritz also welcomed the arrest of the 11 suspects, indicating the arrest comes on the back of a 72-hour plan activated by the acting Provincial Commissioner, Gen. Patekile. “We need to commend SAPS for its work in this regard. The arrest shows that we can beat crime, ” Fritz said.
Picture: Cape Town Etc gallery
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