Gang-related shootings injure two men in Mitchell's Plain amid rising crime statistics

Two gang-related shootings in Mitchell’s Plain within 24 hours have left two men injured, underscoring ongoing violence linked to gang conflict in the area.

The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday June 11 in Nerine Street, Lentegeur.

According to Lentegeur police spokesperson, Constable Navon Van Houten, a man, age unknown, was shot at about 11.40am by a suspect reportedly hiding in a bush.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital known to the Plainsman. When police arrived, the scene was no longer active.

On Tuesday June 10, a 31-year-old man, reportedly an American gang member, was injured in a separate shooting in Beacon Valley.

Police responded at around 9am to Hockey Crescent. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to his left shoulder and chest and was taken to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle. The name of the hospital is known to the Plainsman, but the hospital declined to comment when contacted.

Mitchell’s Plain police’s Brigadier Brian Muller confirmed an ongoing conflict between the Americans gang of Beacon Valley and the Fancy Boys gang of Lentegeur.

Suspects believed to be members of the Fancy Boys gang reportedly arrived in a white Toyota Quantum. Police recovered 38 spent cartridges and two projectiles in Hockey Crescent, Bicycle Crescent and an adjacent open field.

Police investigations continue.

The shooting comes amid the latest released crime statistics, which show that Mitchell’s Plain police station ranks among the highest in several national crime categories.

The crime statistics for the fourth quarter, from January last year to March this year, was released  by Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu last month.

The statistics show that Mitchell’s Plain police station topped the list in the country and province for common assault, rising from 469 cases last year to 508 cases this year.

Lentegeur police station placed ninth in the province for common assault, with cases increasing from 185 to 210.

The station also ranked first nationally for crimes detected as a result of police action, with a jump from 1 291 cases to 1 692. Lentegeur police station also recorded an increase of six cases in this category.

For drug-related crimes, Mitchell’s Plain placed first again — up from 1 181 to 1 624 cases. Lentegeur dropped by one case. While Mitchell’s Plain is not listed for murder, it holds third place provincially for attempted murder, with a decrease from 105 to 48 cases.

In terms of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, Mitchell’s Plain police station reported a decrease of 29 cases. Lentegeur recorded an increase, from 7 to 26 cases.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said the City is now confiscating over 400 firearms annually, more than what was seized in the entire decade between 2006 and 2016.

However, he noted that approximately 70% of these cases fail to lead to prosecution due to incomplete investigations and insufficient evidence He said the City has introduced new training for officers to improve case quality and has signed a cooperation agreement with SAPS to assist in strengthening prosecutions.

Linda Jones, court watch for the Mitchell’s Plain CPF, said the community is concerned about the ongoing violence and called for the army to be deployed. “The community has lost trust in law enforcement. These crimes affect everyone — whether gang-related or not. We are calling for a commission of inquiry and for society to take a stand. Every life in this community matters,” she said.

Mitchell’s Plain also ranked seventh nationally for sexual assault cases and third provincially, with 12 cases — unchanged from the previous year.

Community-reported serious crimes placed Mitchell’s Plain police station seventh nationally and third in the province, with a decrease from 2 116 to 1 771 cases. For contact crimes, the station is fourth provincially, dropping from 996 to 870. Common robbery decreased by 17 cases, contact-related crimes increased by 15, and Lentegeur saw a drop of four.

Arson remained stagnant with five cases. Malicious damage to property increased by 15 to 245 cases, placing Mitchell’s Plain second in the country. Lentegeur’s numbers decreased by six. Theft not otherwise specified dropped by 91 cases and shoplifting by 23.

Strandfontein police station did not feature in any of the top 30 national crime categories.