Just in: Two people gunned down in Hannover Park in Western Cape
Two people aged 25 and 33 have been shot dead in an informal dwelling in the Western Cape.
The shooting occurred in the Turfburg Walk, Hanover Park, on Wednesday morning at about 5am.
It comes as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deployed to Western Cape crime hotspots.
Murder
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley TwiggPhilippi police have registered two counts of murder for investigation following the shooting incident.
“Police members were called to the crime scene in Turfburg Walk, Hanover Park, where they found the victims inside an informal dwelling with gunshot wounds to their bodies.
“The 25-year-old victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the other victim was transported to a medical facility in a private vehicle, where he was declared deceased on arrival at the hospital,” Twigg said.
Motive
Twigg added that the motive for the attack is subject to an investigation by the South African Police Service.
“The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”
Twigg urged anyone with any information about this shooting incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
SANDF
The SANDF deployed soldiers for a year to provinces struggling to quell rampant crime and illegal mining, according to a mission plan presented to parliament.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment last month, calling organised crime the “most immediate threat” to the country’s democracy and economic development.
The mission is scheduled to run until 31 March next year, according to the plan presented to parliament’s policing committee.
The operation will include the Western Cape, notorious for deadly gang violence on the outskirts of Cape Town.
The plan drew criticism from experts and opposition parties, who say troops lack policing skills and warn the costly move admits police have failed to curb violent crime.
