NYANGA residents in Cape Town are shocked after three men were shot and killed while sitting inside a Toyota Avanza on Sunday, 15 October.
According to witnesses, the men were shot at about 4pm.
Although the incident shocked many people, traders around Ntlangano Street, where the incident happened, said it was good riddance.
They alleged that the men were part of a group of extortionists in the area demanding protection fee money from vendors.
“We know them. They've been terrorising us around here, and we are happy they're dead. They parked there because one had gone to demand money from a local tailor," said a vendor.
Community Police Forum (CPF) secretary Dumisani Qwebe said he visited the scene after the incident.
“They were shot while sitting inside a Toyota Avanza. Residents believe that the shooting is connected to extortion dealings. But at this point, we must let cops investigate to establish the real cause behind the shooting,” said Qwebe.
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Western Cape police spokesman Colonel Andre Traut said the attack could be linked to extortion.
“One of the victims was found inside his white Toyota Avanza, one next to the vehicle, and one in a tailoring business operating from a container in the street,” said Traut.
Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, said cops must put their foot down.
“The levels of killings, including this triple murder, require an immediate shift in how policing is conducted. Between the gang and extortion killings, SAPS has to get its ducks in a row and utilise its intelligence more effectively to prevent these continued murders from happening,” said Allen.
