- Two robbery suspects were shot and injured during a robbery attempt on Japhta Mesomola Road, near Greenpoint in Site B, on Friday 10 November.
- The Khayelitsha Police are investigating the case of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and attempted carjacking.
- Somalis who were involved in the incident are still at large, while their vehicle and that of the suspects are in police custody.
Khayelitsha Police Station officers are investigating the case of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and attempted carjacking after two suspects were shot and injured during a botched robbery.
It is believed two men, who were both injured, tried to rob a vehicle loaded with groceries on Japhta Mesomola Road, near Greenpoint in Site B, on Friday 10 November.
Khayelitsha Police Station spokesperson Const Asanda Daweti said the two armed suspects approached the bakkie and tried to hijack it at gunpoint.
Daweti said the Somalis in the bakkie retaliated by taking out their firearms and fired shots at the suspects. “There was an exchange of fire and the Somalis hit two suspects. One of the suspects was hit on the leg while the other one was hit in the head. They were admitted to the Khayelitsha District Hospital,” she said.
According to Daweti, the Somalis are still at large, while their vehicle and that of the suspects are in police custody.
A witness who only identified herself as Nokuphumla said the incident occurred after 14:00. “I was at Japhta Masemola Road approaching Qhayiya (primary school) going to Food Town Hyper in Town Two to buy groceries when the incident occurred. I heard gunshots and I saw people running in between the shacks. I was at a distance, I saw two Somali guys coming out of their vehicle firing some gun shots. I ran for cover,” said Nokuphumla, adding that she turned back. She stated that she didn’t see the people who attacked the Somalis. “I was shaking. I didn’t even go to Food Town. I stayed home for the rest of the day after the incident. I heard some people were injured during the incident but I didn’t see them,” she stated.
Nokuphumla appealed for more police visibility in the area citing the high crime rate.