INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS
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The death of a Manenberg man in a drive-by shooting has sparked fears of renewed gang violence in the area after a two-month lull.
Rashied Fortune, 20, was shot in the street outside his home at the weekend. He was one of three people killed within 24 hours in gang hot spots.
Fortune was allegedly a member of the Americans gang.
Early on Sunday, a man was shot dead in Delft.
Police spokesman Cape Frederick van Wyk said the man, who may not be identified as his next of kin had not yet been informed, had apparently been hiding in a wendy house on a property in Leiden.
Van Wyk said it appeared the man had been chased, cornered and shot in the head, back and stomach. The motive for the shooting was unclear. No arrests have been made.
Twenty-four hours earlier, Andre Williams, 29, was shot dead in Kewtown, Athlone.
He had been shot in the back of the head. A murder docket has been opened.
A relative, who asked not to be identified, told the Cape Times on Sunday she had been aware that Fortune was involved with gangs.
“He went to the shop to buy cigarettes,” shesaid.
“I heard gunshots and I ran outside because I just had the feeling that he was shot. I saw a body lying on the ground, but I did not want to go close.”
A second relative, who also asked not to be named, said he went over to where Fortune lay, calling his name.
“I just wanted to hold him… I called his name, but he didn’t respond.”
The relative said he had been aware of Fortune’s involvement in the Americans and had tried to
discourage him, but had not succeeded.
Manenberg Community Policing Forum spokesman Karda Jacobs said the fresh spate of gang violence was sparked by infighting in the Americans gang.
“These gangsters just randomly shoot in the air or they run in the streets firing several shots for no reason,” Jacobs said.
“Our area has been quiet for the past two months and the latest shooting proves that gang violence is up again.”
Jacobs said he planned to tell residents how to report gang activity anonymously.
Captain van Wyk said a red VW Golf had stopped next to Fortune and the person sitting in the passenger seat had fired several shots at him.
The two people fled, he said. No arrests have been made.
According to police crime statistics, 29 people were killed in Manenberg between April 1 last year and March 31.
* Anyone with information should contact Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111 or SMS Crimeline at 32011.
Cape Times
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Shooting triggers fears of fresh gang violence