7 KILLED ‘EXECUTION STYLE’ IN GUGS

MASS killings have become a common occurrence in Gugulethu, says the Gugulethu Development Forum, following the killing of seven people yesterday.

The latest shooting brought memories of the killing of eight people between the ages of 30 and 40 in the township last November.

This time, the seven believed to have been at a traditional ceremony, were murdered execution style.

Police have since instituted the 72-hour activation plan for the mobilisation of resources in search of gunmen.

Police teams were already pursuing several leads, said acting provincial police commissioner Thembisile Patekile.

“The teams will work through the night conducting tracing operations,” said Patekile.

Crime scene experts were still scouring the scene in NY 79, where five people were shot dead by unidentified suspects who later fled in a vehicle, said police spokesperson Novela Potelwa.

“Two other individuals were wounded in the shooting incident. They were rushed to a medical facility for treatment, where they later died. The motive for the shooting incident is yet to be determined. Organised crime detectives are probing the seven murders. The identities and ages of the deceased persons will be released once their next of kin are informed,” Potelwa said.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said the service responded to reports of a shooting, outside a residence in Gugulethu, at about 5pm.

“Reports indicate that an unknown number of gunmen opened fire on seven occupants. Five of the seven occupants, all males, sustained fatal gunshot injuries, after being shot in the head in what appears to be execution style.

“Another two patients, also adult males, sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment,” Herbst said.

The Gugulethu Development Forum said yesterday: “We condemn this kind of killing. It looks like mass killings have become a norm here in Gugulethu.

“We are on our own as the Gugulethu community. SAPS are understaffed and they don’t have enough resources. We want the police to do a thorough investigation and ensure that perpetrators will be arrested.

“We want Gugulethu to continue developing. We will work closely with the CPF in ensuring that the community feels safe,” the forum said.

A community activist, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of his safety, said they did not want to jump to conclusions about the motive for the murders.

“It is saddening that Gugulethu has become a hotspot for these types of crimes. We need to work hand-in-hand with the police and ensure that incidents like these don’t happen again in our communities,” said the community activist

“It is clear that we are not safe in our own communities.

“As a community, we will take a stand and work together.”

Last month, mass shootings claimed the lives of 13 people in Khayelitsha.

Residents said the shootings were in retaliation, after an alleged gang leader was shot dead while collecting a “protection fee” from a Somali-owned spaza shop.

Anyone with information on the incidents can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or SMS Crime Line on 32211.