Three children were caught in the cross-fire of the shooting.
Image: Supplied
Eight people were shot in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday afternoon in separate incidents.
The shooting incidents have sent shockwaves through the community.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to the Cape Flats,
The Western Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, said the shooting incidents have been handed over to the Anti-Gang Unit for probing.
In the first incident, seven people were shot just before 3pm at the Hazeldene taxi rank.
“It is reported that unknown suspects opened fire on a group of people, fatally wounding two men aged 20 and 22. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. Two adult males and three children, including a six-year-old girl and two boys aged 12 and 13, were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment,” Traut said.
Police have opened two murder and five attempted murder dockets for investigation.
Traut said the motive for the attack is not known at this stage, and said the suspects fled the scene shortly after the shooting incident.
No arrests have been made.
In a separate incident in Portlands, a 26-year-old man was gunned down by unknown suspects on Merrydale Street. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.
“The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene. This incident is believed to be gang-related,” Traut said.
Both shooting incidents are being investigated by members of the Anti-Gang Unit.
“SAPS condemns these senseless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms, especially where innocent members of the community, including children, are caught in the crossfire. Such incidents have no place in our communities, and every available resource is being utilised to track down those responsible and bring them to justice,” Traut said.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or make use of the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL