Public safety incident

Five people were shot dead in two separate attacks in Cape Town townships in the early hours of the morning.The shootings happened in Gugulethu and Philippi East within minutes of each other.In Gugulethu, the attack took place at about 03:35. Three people were killed and one person was injured.The victims were sitting in a backyard when unknown gunmen entered the property and opened fire. The suspects then ran away.In Philippi East, two people were killed and two others were injured in Marikana informal settlement at about 04:00.Police are now investigating both incidents.Residents say they are living in fear as crime continues to rise in their communities.Zingiswa Gabada, who lives in Marikana, said people are forced to stay indoors as soon as it gets dark.She said they are too scared to move around freely because criminals even enter their homes.Gabada said noises at night make them panic, as they fear it could be attackers breaking in.She believes guns are being supplied to young people in the area, as many suspects caught after shootings are young.A Gugulethu resident said crime feels out of control and does not believe the situation will improve.The resident said criminals act without fear because they are often released after being arrested.
Residents said they no longer feel safe, even inside their own homes.They said people are killed for their belongings, even if they are not involved in crime.Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut confirmed that cases of murder and attempted murder are being investigated.Traut said the motive for the Gugulethu shooting is still unknown, but police are looking at the possibility that it was a targeted attack.He said the Philippi East shooting may have been linked to robbery.Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stop or use the MySAPS mobile app anonymously.