21st party ends in bloodshed

One person killed, 7 hurt in mass shooting

A MASS shooting at a 21st birthday party in Montclair Drive, Mandalay, left one person dead and seven injured. The police say the incident may be gang-related.

Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said the police had implemented a 72-hour activation plan to bring to book those responsible for the shooting. Traut said the incident resulted in the death of a 24-year-old woman, while seven others were admitted to hospital.

He said that at about 8.20pm the occupants of a green Honda Ballade fired randomly at guests attending a birthday party at a residence in Montclair Drive, and then fled.

“The eight victims, aged between 5 and 26, were admitted to hospital where the 24-year-old female later succumbed to her injuries,” said Traut.

A witness, David Mafate, 54, said he did not know the people who were partying at the house; all he knew was that they had hired the venue to celebrate a 21st birthday party as it had an open space at the garage.

Mafate said they were enjoying the party when they heard people screaming outside and the sound of gunshots.

There was still blood on the floor when the Cape Argus visited the scene yesterday. Tables, chairs and speakers were scattered around, some with bullet holes and splattered with blood.

Mafate said the people who were shooting were standing at the entrance.

“I heard that the guys who shot at us were looking for someone, because I was told they were seen looking around the area before they shot at us.”

Traut said while detectives were gathering evidence to determine the motive for the attack, the public was requested to come forward with information that could assist them.

He said additional operations had been deployed in the Lentegeur policing precinct to stabilise the situation and to support the detectives with their investigation.

“These forces will remain in the area until we are satisfied with the progress of our operational endeavours,” he said.

Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz said that at this stage it was suspected that the shooting was related to gang violence.

“I am in contact with the provincial commissioner, and our teams are working closely together. We have to stand together against the onslaught faced by our communities,” said Fritz.

Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs condemned the acts of “urban terror and low-key war” in their communities.

Isaacs said they had noted with concern, in the past few weeks, that crime in some areas had become a political point-scoring and electioneering tool.

In a separate incident, a father and son were shot inside their house in Delft on Friday night.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said that the victims, aged 27 and 51, were declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.

The unknown suspect/s fled and had not been arrested.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPSApp.