South Africa: Police in the Western Cape region are on high alert after a spate of deadly mass shootings and claimed the lives of ten people that included three children. The very first incident shook Site-C in Khayelitsha, where three children and an adult were gunned down and attacked at a barbershop on Saturday, June 08, 2024.
Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis shared his view over the incident and wrote in his X post, “Hard to understand or even process the senseless brutality that would lead someone to kill children just to make a point.”
“My deepest condolences to the families of the children lost in this senseless shooting in Khayelitsha. We stand with you in prayer for strength and justice,” expressed the Mayor.
Lewis further marked that this attack was an act of cowardice and added to his statement, “We won’t let these criminals win.”
He urged the South African Police Service to catch them and said, “I urge the SAPS to dedicate all resources in catching them and pledge any help we can. We owe it to the victims and their families.”
Reagen Allen, the Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, narrated the incident and enlightened that an unknown gunmen entered the barbershop and opened fire at the occupants.
He highlighted in his report that the incident is horrific and angers him deeply, particularly with the number of young people who were murdered senselessly and were wounded.
Allen expressed that these heartless criminals have absolutely has no regard for life. He added, “We need to ensure that they are arrested soon, so that a conviction can follow. Life should never be this cheap.”
Reportedly, two children aged 11 and 12, and also an adult were killed on the scene, while three other children were rushed to the hospital after sustaining the injuries. A five-year-old child later succumbed to his injuries. Police confirmed later that, two men were shot and killed close to the barbershop just few moments before.