The usually quiet streets of Khayelitsha were transformed into a warzone on Monday night as police swooped on a house believed to be the hideout of a group of cash-in-transit robbers. The dramatic raid, which left eight suspects dead and five others arrested, has left residents shaken and questioning their safety.
"It was like a real-life action movie here last night," said local Thabo Mabophe as his voice was still trembling as he recounted the terrifying events.
"Bullets were flying everywhere. I was peeking through my window, and I saw police shooting some of the men as they tried to run away. The blood splattered on my windows," he added.
The scene of the shootout, a house in Bekelentloko Street, Town Two, was a grim reminder of the violence that had unfolded. Bloodstains were visible on the walls and pavements, and residents were busy mopping up the mess left behind.
"We are so traumatised. One suspect was bleeding inside my house and died there. Another man was shot dead outside my door. I have two little children here that saw everything, and I’m scared for them. We are not safe here," said Bantubakhe Qongqo, another resident.
The raid, which was conducted by a joint task force of police units, including the Hawks, resulted in the seizure of an arsenal of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, R5 rifles, a R4 rifle and one Dashprod rifle. Four vehicles, two of which had been linked to house robberies and hijackings in the area, were also seized.
The operation has been hailed as a major victory in the fight against organised crime. Premier Alan Winde praised the swift action by police, stating, "I am very grateful no police officers or innocent members of the public were harmed while conducting this operation. This is proof that when coordinated, intelligence, and evidence-based policing are implemented, violent crime can be prevented, and we can make inroads in our efforts to fight crime."
However, the sheer number of firearms seized has raised concerns about the ease with which criminals are able to obtain such weapons. Winde expressed his deep concern about the calibre of weaponry the suspects were allegedly armed with.
"I shudder to think of the bloodshed that would have been caused had they been used in our communities. I implore the SAPS to prioritise its investigation to determine exactly where these weapons originated from. We must determine where they got their hands on these weapons," said Winde.
The premier also sent a strong message to organised crime syndicates, warning, "Your reign of terror over innocent, law-abiding residents must end."
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais echoed Winde's sentiments, commending police on a well-planned and executed operation. "The arms and ammunition confiscated will no longer be used to terrorise our people," she said. "I trust that the suspects who were taken into custody will be able to provide further information which will assist detectives in their probe."
The Hawks confirmed that some of the five people arrested during the operation were from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Spokesperson Zinzi Hani said they would appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
