SAPS nabbed 11 suspects at a hotel over Khayelitsha shootings
It seems as if there is a breakthrough into the case of the mass shootings that took place in Cape Town over the weekend. The police department has confirmed the arrest of at least 11 suspects who seems to be linked to the mass shootings.
However, it was confirmed that the suspects have since been detained for questioning. It was established that 11 suspects were detained in the early hours of 17 May.
Their arrests come barely a few days after a series of shooting incidents in Khayelitsha on Saturday that left 13 people dead and several injured.
The suspects were nabbed at a hotel in Sea Point at about 3 am by a task team comprising Lockdown II forces, intelligence officials, organised crime detectives and a combat contingent, Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said in a statement.
SAPS nabbed 11 suspects at a hotel over Khayelitsha shootings
The suspects were nabbed at a hotel in Sea Point at about 3 am by a task team comprising Lockdown II forces, intelligence officials, organised crime detectives and a combat contingent, Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said in a statement.
“We have moved from the unknown to the known. Persons of interest include possible suspects in the shooting due to a number of reasons, including that they were near the scene or were at the scene.
“The investigation will reveal what the motive was, but we are looking at the groups that have been working towards extortion in this area.”
A witness, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, said he was in a nearby shack when he heard gunshots, the Cape Times reported.
“About 15 of these men went past the shack carrying huge guns. All of them were wearing masks. They came here to look for members who belong to a rival extortion gang that had allegedly killed their boss.
“They went into a Somali shop and demanded money, but the Somali guy refused and they shot at him,” the resident said.
The Somali Community Board of South Africa blames police inaction for the unabated extortion of foreign-owned businesses and killings in the townships.