- The victims were shot in the head after refusing to lie down during a robbery in the early hours of the morning.
- Police believe the massacre is linked to extortion and are urging business owners to stop working with criminal gangs.
A night of drinking turned into a bloodbath when three men stormed a tavern in Marikana informal settlement, Philippi East, and started shooting.
Ten people were shot. Eight died and two are still fighting for their lives in hospital.
Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile visited the scene. He said the gunmen arrived around 12.15am, robbed the patrons of their phones and cash, then opened fire.
“Six died at the scene. One died on the way to hospital and another died later in hospital,” he said.
Police believe the shooting is linked to extortion.
“We are pleading with business owners and communities to stop working with extortionists,” said Patekile. “If we had been informed, this shooting could have been prevented.”
He said extortion is a growing but under-reported crime. “We have increased police in hot spots, but we depend on residents to report what they know.”
Patekile was shocked to see alcohol inside the tavern. “During the festive season there was no alcohol here. This means it is being stored elsewhere, and the community knows. That means they are supporting illegalactivities.”
The victims were between 30 and 50 years old.
A resident who asked not to be named said the shooters ordered everyone to lie down. “They started robbing people. One man refused to follow their instructions. That’s when they shot everyone in the head. Those who followed the rules were spared.”
He said a man was also shot dead at the same tavern last year.
In a separate shooting in Marcus Garvey, two men aged 32 and 44 were killed. They had multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body.
Another shooting took place in New Cross, Gugulethu, where four people were shot. One died and three are in critical condition in hospital.
A resident told Scrolla.Africa he believes all the shootings are connected to extortion gangs. “They are either fighting over money or sending a message to others collecting on their turf.”
Pictured above: Ten people were shot inside a tavern in Marikana informal settlement in Cape Town, eight dead and two are in a critical condition in hospital.
Image credit: Buziwe Nocuze
