The Western Cape is reeling after a second mass shooting in as many days left six people dead and five injured. This horrific incident, unfolding in Bishop Lavis on Thursday night, follows a similar tragedy in Atlantis just 24 hours earlier. The brutality of these attacks has left communities terrified and demanding urgent action from authorities.
In Bishop Lavis, four men and two women, aged between 24 and 55, were gunned down in an informal dwelling on Kogelberg Street at approximately 8:40 pm. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, an armed suspect entered the home and opened fire on the occupants.
"Police reports from the scene indicate that at approximately 20:40 an armed suspect entered an informal dwelling in Kogelberg Street and fired several shots at the occupants," Brigadier Potelwa stated.
Five others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment. Murder and attempted murder dockets have been opened, and the Anti-Gang Unit is leading the investigation. No arrests have yet been made.
Brigadier Potelwa confirmed that police have increased their presence in the area following the murders. This heightened security follows a similar response in Atlantis after Wednesday's shooting, where five people were killed and five seriously injured.
The Atlantis incident, according to Brigadier Potelwa, occurred as the victims were returning home from Silverstroom Beach in three separate vehicles.
"Reports from the scene indicate the victims of the shooting incident were returning home in three vehicles from the Silverstream beach when as yet-to-be identified gunmen opened fire on the vehicles on the corner of Old Mamre and Silverstream Roads," she explained.
The victims, aged between 18 and 30, were shot along Old Mamre and Silverstream Roads. "As a consequence, six individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 were fatally wounded and five others rushed to a medical facility after sustaining gunshot wounds," Brigadier Potelwa added.
Murder and attempted murder charges have been filed, and investigations are underway to determine the motive. No arrests have been made in this case either.
The scene in Atlantis was grim, with Old Mamre Road closed off as police investigated and grieving families arrived to find their loved ones fighting for their lives. One heartbroken relative described the harrowing experience of watching a loved one, 22-year-old Kyle Nicholas, struggle for nearly two hours before succumbing to his injuries while waiting for paramedics.
"They left in the morning, but he did not have a lift home and so we asked Sergio to fetch him and his friend," the relative, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, recounted.
"What we understand happened was that Sergio was driving the white Toyota Tazz, but there was also a white VW Golf, a black VW Golf and a bakkie all driving, and there were some gang members and some innocent people in the cars. They said the shooters waited for them in the bush near Mamre Road and as they came driving past, they shot them with AK47s [rifles]. When we got there, Kyle was still alive, but Sergio, who was also innocent, was dead already. I gave him CPR and we waited almost two hours for the ambulance, but he died. There were also two children hurt and I am so glad his two-year-old son did not go with him to the beach because he may also have been hurt. Just this week, he got a call from a factory to say his application for work was successful." Kyle Nicholas was shot alongside his neighbour, 25-year-old Sergio Baron.
Fabian Williams of the Atlantis Community Policing Forum expressed deep sadness and concern, suggesting the Atlantis shooting was a premeditated attack.
"In this blatant and clearly orchestrated attack, while some were gang related, other innocent people died or were injured. We have been informed that there are two factions inside the Americans gang that are fighting and there are definitely fears of retaliation," Williams stated.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has instructed the Anti-Gang Unit to dedicate all necessary resources to apprehending those responsible for both shootings. The shootings are believed to be gang-related. Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais announced increased police deployments to Atlantis to help restore order.
"Atlantis is experiencing a deeply worrying upsurge in violence. I have instructed Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) Rapid Response Unit members to be deployed and stationed in Atlantis to assist in restoring law and order," Marais said.
Anyone with information regarding either incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111. The ongoing investigations aim to bring those responsible to justice and address the underlying causes of this escalating violence. The double tragedy underscores the urgent need for sustained and comprehensive strategies to combat gang violence and improve community safety in the Western Cape.
