In a heartbreaking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community of Mitchell’s Plain, two women were tragically killed and a young boy injured in a shooting on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred at around 3:00 PM at Portlands Primary School, on Wespoort Drive in Portlands, prompting an immediate response from local police.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the victims, aged 26 and 30, were reportedly approached by a relative who opened fire on them. Medical personnel pronounced the younger victim dead at the scene, while the older woman succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at a nearby medical facility. The 12-year-old boy, a Grade 6 learner who was an innocent bystander during the attack, sustained injuries that authorities have stated are not life-threatening and is currently receiving treatment.
According to a source, the attacker, identified as a 32-year-old man, is believed to be the brother of the two deceased women. It is understood that the shooting may have been motivated by domestic issues, as the women were waiting for children to be dismissed from a school located nearby.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that the appalling incident took place outside Portland Primary School, where the victims were targeted. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond expressed deep condolences, stating, “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved.” The department has taken proactive measures to support the affected students, including counselling services for all learners present during the horrific event.
Following the shooting, Mitchell’s Plain police arrested the suspect, who is anticipated to appear in Mitchell’s Magistrates’ Court once formally charged. Meanwhile, local detectives are actively investigating the murders and the attempted murder of the young boy.
This distressing event underscores the urgent need for community vigilance and support systems to address domestic violence and its far-reaching impacts.
