Bonteheuwel was the scene of another gang shooting on Tuesday evening – the latest incident leaving two teenagers critically injured. A 16 year old male was hit with two bullets wounds in either legs and a 15 year old female was also wounded. They are currently at Groote Schuur Hospital being treated for their wounds injuries.

Bonteheuwel Joint Peace Forum (BJPF) spokesperson Soraya Salie said the situation in the area is spiralling out of control. A meeting with the police brigadier on Wednesday morning revealed how gangs operate and the volatile fight for turf.

“But its sad to say they [police] are not doing anything about it and more and more innocent are bearing the brunt,” said Salie.

“It seems as though we have constant problems with SAPS and Metro police and both parties aren’t playing their role. Them stating that they are under resourced needs to come to an end.”

The organisation is planning a mass public meeting to get a mandate from the community on how to tackle the deteriorating problem.

She believes the leniency on crime has resulted in the ongoing turf war among gangs and drug lords as well as recruiting young children to be part of gangs sometimes against their will.

With the festive season on hand, Salie said the hostility will no doubt be heightened.

“A convention of sorts needs to take place to bring about some form of peace in the area.”

The Forum will be asking Western Cape police commissioner Arno Lamoer to be present at their meeting because their calls as a community for the army to be deployed have fallen on deaf ears.

Meanwhile police spokesperson Fredrick Van Wyk has said that the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated and that the motive is unknown at this stage

Anyone with information about this shooting incident are urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or Crime Line on 32211. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)