Two men were shot and killed at Camps Bay beach in what is suspected to be a taxi-related fight.
During the incident, which happened on Wednesday October 5, one of the men is believed to have been hit by a stray bullet and died at the scene, according to his friends who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation .
“He used to take photos of people. Every day he was here, he was a hard worker, friendly, nice guy. Just before the shooting started, he told me he was going home as he was done working for the day,” the friend said of the victim, known only as Luthando.
“The next thing I heard gunshots and I saw him fall to the ground. I was by his side when he died,” he said.
Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell said there had previously been a shooting incident in Camps Bay in 2018 when one person was killed and an arrest was made by SAPS.
Ms Jowell added that community organisations were helping SAPS to track down and apprehend the shooter in this latest incident.
“It is believed that the one person was hit by a stray bullet and was not necessarily the target of the perpetrator. The second victim is believed to have been shot multiple times,” Ms Jowell said.
“Yes there is speculation that there is a link between taxis that resulted in this incident but SAPS are investigating all possibilities. It is a traumatic incident for the many people who witnessed the events,” she said.
JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, condemned the attack.
“Information available suggests that this attack was related to friction in the taxi industry, specifically routes between Hout Bay and Camps Bay,” Mr Smith said.
“While SAPS is leading the investigation, the City will support its efforts and already we have increased our deployment in the area, similar to how we approached the taxi conflict in Nyanga earlier this year,” he said.
Provincial police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said Camps Bay SAPS were investigating two counts of murder.
“Upon arrival at the scene at around 3.40pm in Victoria Road, they (SAPS) found the body of an unknown man who sustained gunshot wounds to his body.
“Further inspection of the surrounding area indicated the body of a second unknown man who also sustained gunshot wounds.
“Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The possibility that the motive can be taxi-related is not excluded and will be investigated as such,” said Warrant Officer Swartbooi.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or the City’s dedicated tip-off line on 0800 110077.
