Police arrest 11 for Khayelitsha shootings

Police in Cape Town arrested 11 suspects during the early hours of Monday morning after 13 people were gunned down in Khayelitsha at the weekend.

CAPE TOWN, May 17 (ANA) – Police in Cape Town arrested 11 suspects during the early hours of Monday morning after 13 people were gunned down in Khayelitsha at the weekend.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said in a statement that an integrated task team was set up to track and trace the suspects behind the series of shootings on Saturday.

She said the task team consisted of Lockdown II forces, intelligence officials, organised crime detectives and a combat contingent.

Potelwa said officers traced the suspects to a hotel in Sea Point at 3am and they are currently being questioned.

Nine people were shot and killed in different locations in Site B. Four victims died in hospital due to injuries sustained and five others were seriously injured.

“Shortly after the murders occurred, Western Cape acting provincial commissioner Major-General Thembisile Patekile instituted a 72-hour activation plan for the mobilisation of resources that will lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators of the heinous acts. Since inception, the multidisciplinary team has been working around the clock in search of the suspects,” Potelwa said.

Once charged, the suspects will appear in court on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Potelwa said there was a possibility of more charges being added as the investigation progresses.

Western Cape MEC for Community Safety Albert Fritz welcomed the arrests.

“We need to commend the South African Police Service (SAPS) for their work in this regard. The arrest shows that we can beat crime. The arrest shows that we will beat crime,” Fritz said.

He added that he will be visiting the area on Monday.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher