Lentegeur drive-by shooting claims three lives amid ongoing gang violence

An e-hailing cab driver is among the latest victims of the ongoing gang violence in Mitchell's Plain.

The driver and his two passengers were killed in a drive-by shooting on the corner of Highlands Drive and Merrydale Road, Lentegeur, just after 11am on Tuesday, June 17.

Lentegeur police spokesperson Constable Navon van Houten said the incident, which happened a stone's throw away from West End Primary, was gang-related. 

"Two males and one female were declared dead on the scene," he said. He added that the victims' ages are unknown as their bodies still need to be identified by their next-of-kin. 

Lentegeur community police forum chairperson Michael Jacobs said gang violence continues to "rear its ugly head", while provincial and national police have been "tone deaf to the pleas of the community."

"We call on the police, especially the anti-gang unit, to catch those responsible and bring them to book.

"We also reiterate our call on the president to launch a commission of inquiry into gangsterism, as things are out of control. Our local police stations are under-resourced and overwhelmed by the number of gang-related incidents," he said.

Mr Jacobs expressed the forum's condolences to the families of the deceased. "I saw one of the deceased's mom and daughter arrive on the scene earlier. It was heartbreaking to see them in tears. We don't know when all these killings will end - but it has to stop," he said.

Mr Jacobs said that many pupils were among those who gathered at the scene of the shooting, and urged parents to send their children to school.

"It is exam time and we make a plea to parents to please send their kids to school so that they don't miss out. We will ask the police to beef up patrols in the area," he said.

Anyone with details regarding the shooting can contact Captain Daylin Oliver on 082 522 2765 or call the Lentegeur police station on 021 377 5000.