- A third suspect was arrested on Saturday 6 January in connection with the triple murder and an attempted murder case on New Year’s Day in Gugulethu.
- According to reports, the victims were in a vehicle about to drop off someone when another vehicle arrived on scene.
- Following the incident, two men were arrested on Wednesday 3 January, in Goodwood and Blue Downs.
A third suspect was arrested on Saturday 6 January in connection with the triple murder and an attempted murder case on New Year’s Day in Gugulethu.
The incident occurred in NY 137.
According to reports, the victims were in a vehicle about to drop off someone when another vehicle arrived on scene.
Several shots were fired from the second car, instantly killing three people in the first vehicle.
A fourth person was taken to a medical facility with serious injuries.
Following the incident, two men were arrested on Wednesday 3 January, in Goodwood and Blue Downs.
Provincial police spokesperson Col Andre Traut said a 36-year-old man handed himself over to officers in Manenberg after members of the serious and violent crime detectives tightened the net around him.
He said he made his court appearance at Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Monday 8 January where he faced the murder and attempted murder charges.
He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Monday 15 January.
Traut said the circumstances surrounding the murders and attempted murder are under investigation.
He added that the case against the two suspects who were arrested on Wednesday 3 January has not been enrolled at court due to technicalities pointed out by the Senior State Prosecutor.
“This has since been alleviated and warrants for their arrests have been issued. Once arrested, they will join (the third suspect) in the dock,” explained Traut.
The Gugulethu Development Forum (GDF) says it is pleased with the smooth operation conducted by the officers in the arrest.
GDF secretary Vincent Domingo says the neighbourhood is becoming home for underworld gangs.
He says the area is becoming famous for all the wrong reasons.
“According to the information that we received from crime intelligence, Gugulethu is dominated by underworld gangs which are utilising young boys for doing dirty jobs like extortion, robbery and killings. In most cases, when they conduct their jobs, they are utilising amaphela (local taxis) to commit crimes,” explains Domingo.
He says criminals view Gugulethu residents as not united against crime.
Domingo appealed for tougher actions against the perpetrators, adding that they deserved to rot in jail.
He stated that Gugulethu was not a jungle. “These gang groups are fighting each other to protect their territories and that is why there are too many killing incidents.
“We need a thorough investigation into these kinds of cases. We need justice for the deceased families. We need to unite as a community to stand up against crime,” said Domingo, adding that if the officers fail to do their job the president needs to deploy soldiers in the area.
He stated that even the neighbourhood watch members are targets of these hooligans.