Immediate follow up investigation resulted in the arrest of two suspected gang affiliates in two separate cases of shooting incidents which allegedly took place on 1 January 2019.
In the first incident, it is alleged that on 1 January 2019 at about 00:10, the 3 victims, two aged 26 and 33 years were inside a yard in Denson Street in Bloemendal with four other friends welcoming 2019. It is alleged that two males approached the house and started shooting at the group.
Three people from the group sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment. Two of the victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds while the third sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
In the second incident, it is alleged that on 1 January 2019 at about 19:15 , Ruwaan Jordaan (18) was sitting on the sidewalk in Old Stanford Road, when an unknown male approached and started shooting at him. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his back and succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
In both cases, immediate follow up investigation was done by the Provincial Gang Investigation Unit, National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Visible Gang Intervention Team (VGIT). A 16 year old teenager was arrested at his house in Bibby Street, Bloemendal. He was detained and charged on 3 cases of attempted murder. He will be appearing in Nerina House juvenile court on 2 January 2019.
The multi disciplinary team also arrested a 30 year-old suspect for the alleged murder of Jordaan. He was arrested at a house in Leith Street in Helenvale. He is expected to appear in court soon.
Both incidents are gang related and the motive is yet to be established.
During the early hours of Monday morning, 31 December 2018, the Provincial Gang Investigation Unit also arrested four other suspects wanted on various other cases in the Bethelsdorp and Gelvandale areas. Two suspects were arrested for a murder in Bethelsdorp in November 2018 while another juvenile, aged 16 was arrested for an attempted murder which took place in December 2018. The fourth suspect was arrested for an attempted murder allegedly committed in the Gelvandale area. Suspects will be appearing in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court on 2 January 2019.
Acting Mount Road Cluster Commander, Brig Andrew Louw indicated that “We have intensified our deployment of manpower in the hotspot areas of Gelvandale and Bethelsdorp. Our members are working extremely hard to ensure the safety of the citizens in these areas. We will continue in our endeavours to rid these criminals from society especially gang affiliates who are placing innocent lives at risk.”
South Africa Today – South Africa News
