Premier Winde and MEC Fritz to receive update on SAPS’ response to Mitchells Plain shooting from Provincial Commissioner; Provincial Government activates Court Watching Brief Unit following arrests

Today, the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, and the Provincial MEC of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, will be meeting with the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Services in the Western Cape, Maj Gen Thembisile Patekile, to receive a briefing on SAPS’ response following a drive-by shooting in Mitchells Plain on Saturday.

It was reported that gunmen in a green Honda Ballade fired at people attending a party in Montclair Road, Mandalay. During the shooting, a woman was killed, and seven others were injured, including 3 children. SAPS in the Western Cape have since executed a 72-hour Activation Plan in response to an attack that is believed to be gang-related.

Premier Winde said: “We are devastated by the news of this mass shooting, which claimed the life of one person and injured many others, including young children. No stone must be left unturned in ensuring that all those responsible are brought to book and end up behind bars. We will therefore be meeting with the Provincial Commissioner to receive an update on the implementation of the 72-hour action plan and SAPS’ plans going forward. We welcome the swift arrest of 3 suspects following a tracing operation last night by the anti-gang unit and we will be looking to find out what proactive steps crime intelligence will be taking to prevent this horrific incident from repeating itself. We cannot allow our communities to live in a constant state of fear and to be terrorised by gangsters.”

MEC Fritz said: “We will never accept that this kind of violence is normal. Violence has absolutely no place in our society and I call on the community to come forward and share any information they might have which will result in the successful prosecution of those guilty parties.”

Once charged, the three arrested suspects will make their court appearances on charges of murder and attempted murder. MEC Fritz continued: “My Department will be opening a court watching brief unit to monitor these court processes to ensure that this matter is not simply struck off the court roll, but that where inefficiencies do appear, that they are instead spotted and addressed. We want convictions. We want to make sure people pay for their crimes.”

Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government, 18 October 2021