Buziwe Nocuze
Every weekend, the market of Nyanga township in Cape Town is alive with vendors and locals hustling to get the best price on every nature of good.
But on Saturday, the market’s activity stopped when a 56-year-old vendor was shot dead in front of her three young children.
Following the sound of gunshot, there was silence, then screams and shouts as merchants and customers alike fled the marketplace.
One resident was nearby trying to buy a chicken when they heard the gunshots ring.
“When I heard gunshots I ran. I thought someone was being robbed,” said the local.
When the shooting stopped she went back and saw the woman lying lifeless on the ground.
“I was told she was shot in front of her kids. That’s something they will never forget. The suspect knew what he wanted because she was targeted,” they said.
In the aftermath, brave vendors ushered the children away from the scene of their mother’s death and took them home.
The shooter left on foot as quickly as he or she had arrived.
Another street vendor later told Scrolla.Africa that their business was no safer than the taxi industry.
“Jealous people can kill you for having more customers than them,” she said.
She also believes the man who shot her was doing what he was ordered to do.
“I hope we don’t blame ordinary criminals. This was a clear hit.”
Street vending is a cutthroat business, as merchants battle one another for turf and customers. Sometimes, the simplest way to take out competition is to resort to violence.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Saturday afternoon at about 4.47pm in Nyanga are under investigation.
“According to reports, the victim was selling chicken when she was approached by an unknown male who shot her. The suspect fled the scene and is yet to be arrested,” said Twigg.
Nyanga SAPS is investigating the case and are yet to establish a motive for the killing.
Anyone with any information about this shooting is requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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