13 dead, 11 arrested after Khayelitsha mass shooting

By Kaya 959 News

Police Minister Bheki Cele has welcomed the speedy arrest of eleven suspects believed to be behind the murders of 13 people in Khayelitsha.

Nine people were shot and killed at different locations in Site B over the weekend.

Four others succumbed to injuries sustained from the shooting incidents in the hospital.

The suspects were arrested after a 72-hour activation plan.

Cele says the arrests would not have been possible if not for the added resources pumped into the Western Cape.

“The 72-hour activation plan is yet again proving to be an effective tool in the apprehension of those responsible for violent and heinous crimes.”

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Police probe motive for shooting

The task team that arrested the suspects was compromised of the Lockdown II forces, intelligence officials, organised crime detectives and a combat contingent.

They swooped in on a Sea Point hotel at around 3am on Monday morning.

The suspects are currently being questioned.  They face murder and attempted murder charges.

“As the investigations progress more charges could added,” police said in a statement.

Police are yet to reveal the motive for the shootings, but several reports suggest they could be linked to “protection fees”.

Extortion gangs allegedly force shop owners to pay a fee to operate in the area.

Several people were also killed in a mass shooting in Khayelitsha Site B in March 2020. The shooting was allegedly linked to gang violence.

#sapsWC Police Minister, Deputy Minister and #SAPS Management visit the crime scene where seven people have died and seven others were injured on Sunday, 08/03 in Khayelitsha. ME pic.twitter.com/yicH76NSEg

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) March 10, 2020