Police say the suspects in the mass shooting in Reiger Park in Ekurhuleni are known gangsters who are currently out on bail.
The have launched a manhunt for the suspects after a drive-by shooting in which six people were killed and three others wounded on Saturday.
National Police Spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe says additional resources have been secured to help with the search for the suspects.
Mathe says they are looking for two known gangsters they have previously arrested and were out on bail.
“What we have uncovered, it might be gang related but the majority of those that were killed were innocent people that were just walking freely in the streets. Three women were shot and killed, three other males as well. Although, we suspect that one of those that were killed was their actual target. But because the three other women were possible witnesses in the shooting, they were then executed,” adds Mathe.
Video | Search on for suspects in Reiger Park shooting:
Meanwhile, ActionSA Member of Parliament, Dereleen James, says despite the deployment of additional officers to Reiger Park, residents say they’ve seen the suspects behind Saturday’s shooting roaming the streets.
James says the deployment of additional officers on the ground will yield no results without intelligence, “We always see that when such incidents takes place, South African Police Service (SAPS) sort of flocks to these places, we see additional boots on the ground and everything but yesterday the community was actually complaining when we had the meeting with the National Commissioner saying that, despite your presence there are still some of these guys, who are known suspects walking the streets.”
“You say that there’s a manhunt out for them, but they were spotted by the community so, where is your manhunt? And at that point, the national commissioner said it is evident that he needs to send another team of detectives in to assist,” adds James.
National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola visited the area on Sunday to meet with residents and discuss a response to the increasing gang violence in the area.
PODCAST | Police bolster presence in Reiger Park after deadly shooting:
