By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Seven people were killed in a mass shooting at a home in the Kanana Informal Settlement, Gugulethu, on the Cape Flats in the early hours of this morning.
Fullview understands that the victims may have been socialising at home when they were attacked. Three other men who were also in the house at the time managed to escape unharmed.
The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, confirmed the incident which took place at a residence in the Kanana informal settlement.
“At approximately 3.30am, SAPS members on patrol were alerted to the shooting. Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the bodies of seven men, all with gunshot wounds.
Preliminary information suggests that the victims were socialising in the kitchen when they were ambushed by unknown assailants. Three other men who were asleep elsewhere in the house at the time of the attack escaped unharmed,” Traut said.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld at this stage, and the motive for the heinous crime is yet to be established.
Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, condemned the attack.
He met with detectives from the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit on the scene on Saturday, where he instructed them to explore every possible lead to uncover the truth behind the killings and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“Violent and firearm-related crimes remain a top priority for the Western Cape SAPS, and no resource will be spared in the pursuit of justice, “Patekile said.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or to report anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
Historically, most mass shootings in South Africa have been associated with three main things: gang conflicts, rivalries in the minibus taxi sector and factional or inter-group feuds (mainly in KwaZulu-Natal). These forms of collective violence have ultimately emerged from efforts to control certain spaces and resources.