Cape Town - A Hanover Park teen is the latest victim of a long-simmering gang war in the area which has claimed several lives.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said Philippi police were called to the scene of a shooting on Monday evening in Athburg Walk, Hanover Park.
On arrival they discovered the body of Abubakur Samuels, 17, who had been shot. Twigg said no suspects had yet been arrested.
The teenager was buried in Athlone on Wednesday in accordance with Muslim rites. Hanover Park CPF chairperson Kashiefa Mohammed said Hanover Park was a war zone, where people died daily.
“A few years ago Hanover Park was a loving community but now the gangsters have taken over our community. The area has become a graveyard, bodies have been picked up daily. The community is sick of this war between gangsters.
“There has been a lot of fear every day, in the last few days where shootings were heard even on Christmas and Boxing Day. Our kids are living in fear at a time when they are supposed to be in peace,” she said.
Meanwhile, the police are investigating Tuesday’s shooting in Oval South Street, Beacon Valley, Mitchell’s Plain, where a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed.
Twigg said when the police attended a crime scene they found the teenager with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. No one has been arrested as yet, he said.
The Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs said they were concerned about the escalating shootings of gang violence in areas of Mitchell’s Plain.
Isaacs said there was no political will to deal with the gang war on the Cape Flats, adding that there were a lot of illegal firearms in circulation.
Isaacs called on the president, premier, and police to establish a special investigative unit to probe gun violence in the province.
In an unrelated incident, Bishop Lavis police are investigating a murder after a 32-year-old was shot dead in Bramble Street on Tuesday evening.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said the unknown suspects who fled the scene were yet to be arrested. The motive for the attack was yet to be established.
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie said the shooter discharged two shots when one bullet hit the victim, a well-known gangster in the area.
Anyone with any information about this shooting can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.