Sanco calls for army deployment after mass shootings in Philippi-East

A leader of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Philippi-East is calling for the government to deploy soldiers in Philippi after 10 people were shot and killed and two left injured in two separate shooting incidents in the vicinity on Saturday 17 January.
The first incident occurred at Marikana informal settlement at 00:15 where eight people were shot and killed in a shebeen and two injured.
The second incident occurred at Phola Park where two people were shot and killed. In both incidents no arrests have been made yet.
The Sanco leader who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal said they are terrified by the incidents. He urged the officers not to leave any stone unturned. He said he suspects that both incidents are extortion related.
“The issue of extortion in the townships is getting out of hand. It seems the officers are failing to curb it. We need the government to deploy soldiers in our areas to maintain peace. The extortionists are at war with the community now,” he said, adding that both attacks seemed as if they were well orchestrated. He stated his concern is that sometimes these incidents are affecting innocent people.
Provincial police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk confirmed that eight people died during the shooting incident in Marikana informal settlement. He said eight counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder are under investigation.
“With investigations unfolding into the murder of seven men and a woman at a shebeen in Marikana, Philippi East, serious violent crimes detectives have their sights set on three known suspects who are still at large. The shooting incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning (17 January) and is believed to be linked to the crime of extortion. Six victims died on the scene, one on the way to hospital and the other after arriving at a medical facility,” explained Van Wyk, adding that two other victims sustained serious injuries due to the shooting.
He said of the eight deceased persons, one is a 43-year-old woman who was the owner of the illegal liquor outlet.
In the other separate incident Van Wyk said Philippi-East police registered two counts of murder for investigation, following a shooting incident on Saturday 17 January at 14:00 at Marcus Garvey, Philippi East, in which two males aged 32 and 44 were shot and fatally wounded.
“According to reports members of the Philippi East Police Station were informed about a shooting incident at the mentioned address. Upon arrival, they found the two victims laying in the footpath with several gunshot wounds to the upper body. The victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,” he concluded.