By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Police have instituted a 72-hour activation plan for the mobilisation of resources in search of those who shot and killed three young women execution-style at Khayelitsha on Monday evening.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), reports from the scene indicate that residents at the TT Block informal settlement recall hearing gunshots after 20:00.
“A few minutes later the bodies of young women aged 17, 20 and 21 were discovered in a passage between the shacks. The victims had all been shot in their heads,” the Western Cape police explained.
As investigations into the murders continue, SAPS said the motive for the shooting incident is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes news that SAPS has instituted a 72-hour activation plan in response to the killing of three young women in Khayelitsha on Monday evening.
Fritz said: “I am shocked and angered by the murder of 3 women in Khayelitsha yesterday. This violence cannot be tolerated and we need urgent arrests and for all those responsible to face the full might of the law. Those who committed this horrible crime must end up behind bars.”
Initial reports indicate that after residents heard shots in TT Block Information Settlement after 20:00, the bodies of three young women aged 17, 20 and 21 were discovered with gunshot wounds in their heads. At the time of writing, the motives for the killing had not been established yet.
Fritz said, “we welcome the news that SAPS has instituted a 72-hour activation plan. This means that policing resources are being mobilized in order to capture suspect” and ensure that they face the full might of the law. We are monitoring the situation very closely, and we are ready to deploy additional LEAP Officers to the area.”
Fritz concluded, “I want to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the three young ladies. It is really upsetting that these young people, with their whole lives ahead of them, were killed in such a brutal manner. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that this kind of violence is eradicated from our streets. We will continue to work towards the safety of all our citizens.”
Anyone with information about the incident that could assist the police in their investigations is urged to contact police on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App.