Buziwe Nocuze
Two people were killed and two others suffered serious injuries when a group of gunmen shot up two spaza shops at the same time on a street in Strand, in Nomzamo, Cape Town on Friday night.
According to eyewitnesses, a group of heavily armed men arrived on Solomon Street, where both shops are located about 30 seconds from one another.
One of the shopkeepers told Scrolla.Africa that the group approached his shop and without saying a word, opened fire. The shopkeeper ducked for cover as soon as he heard the gunshots, but two men, both foreign nationals, were hit.
“We had someone standing at the door attending to the customers. They shot and killed him because he thought they were customers. The other was inside and was badly injured,” said the shopkeeper, who did not want to be named.
At the same time, men – believed to be from the same group – opened fire on the second shop. Again, two people, also both foreign nationals, were shot. One succumbed to his injuries.
The shopkeeper said he does not know why the attack took place, but several local residents have told Scrolla.Africa that they believe it was to do with a protection fee.
They claimed that businesses in the area are made to pay protection money to a dangerous local gang. If the businesses refuse to pay, they are threatened with violence.
One resident said that these very public attacks serve as a warning to the wider community.
“Everyone knows that even those running salons or selling chicken feet pay protection. I think it is the same case in these shops, but let us wait for cops to do their job,” said the resident.
The shopkeepers believe that the attack was planned and hope that the police find the killers and make them pay for what they did.
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso said the reason for the killings are currently unknown. They are waiting for the law enforcement agencies to give them the investigation report.
Spokesperson for SAPS Western Cape, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, said Lwandle police attended a crime scene on Solomon Drive and Lonja street in Nomzamo at around 20:50.
Upon arrival, they found the bodies of two males aged 38 and 32, who sustained gunshot wounds. The victims were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel.
Two males aged 33 and 39 who also sustained gunshot wounds were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, and the unknown armed suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened for investigation, and anyone with information is kindly requested to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
