By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Western Cape police have launched a manhunt for the mass murder in the Paarl community of Mbekweni, Cape Town.
The victims were all shot and killed on Monday night.
The deceased are two boys, one man and two women.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut says they do not believe the shooting is related to the taxi strike in Cape Town.
“At around 11pm police responded to a complaint of several gunshots fired at a residence in Chris Hani Street when they discovered the bodies of three male victims aged 12, 14, and 34 and two female victims aged 32 and 39.”
“At this stage there is no indication that the incident is linked to the taxi strike in the province. No arrests have been made.”
The motive for the shooting is being investigated.
The Western Cape Premier Alan Winde meanwhile says the safety of residents and road users is of paramount importance as the minibus taxi strike continues to wreak havoc in the province.
Winde has since called for an immediate end to the strike.
The Premier was speaking on the outcomes of a special Western Cape Cabinet meeting on Monday, 7 August 2023, to discuss the ongoing minibus taxi strike.
Winde believes that all stakeholders should go back to the negotiations.
“But this has to be in an environment of calm. We must also not allow this issue to be politicised as this will only further complicate matters.”