The South African Police Service says there has been no new leads in spite of a 72-hour activation plan initiated to find the gunmen who murdered eight people at a traditional ceremony in Gugulethu last week.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi says detectives are working round the clock to nail the suspects.
“Our seasoned detectives are working round the clock to find the perpetrators…The suspects, who fled the scene, are still on the run and are yet to be arrested,” he said.
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the scene on Thursday morning and admitted that police were having difficulties because of a lack of resources in the area.
“If this was another place, we would have found CCTV footage, but because it’s in this area, we are unable to find CCTV footage. These are the issues we have been raising with other levels of government… that is why, if you go to other places, the place is green, and has CCTV cameras.”
Police say a family here were holding a cultural ceremony outside their home in NY 79 on Wednesday when unknown assailants started shooting.
“If you come here, there are no cameras… (cameras) would have assisted us,” he added.
Residents have expressed concerns over security in the area.
According to the Gugulethu Development Forum (GDF), residents are tired of living in constant fear caused by criminals coming into their community
GDF spokesperson Lumkile Mzukwa said “it is high time that, as Gugulethu community, we reclaim our streets, and take it from these criminal elements that are terrorising our community. We are sick and tired of living in fear.”
Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said there were 11 cameras in Gugulethu, all installed along strategic locations within the suburb, with many more in the pipeline.
“The City has cameras in Gugulethu, which the police have access to, via a case number/subpoena, and also via the Promotion of Access to Information Act through the City’s Legal Services. The City of Cape Town is continuously working to increase its CCTV footprint.”
Smith said it is a massive undertaking, cost-wise, and especially because of the lack of infrastructure in some areas.
“Vandalism and theft of existing infrastructure – particularly cables – are an ongoing frustration that we are trying to address.”
The area is notorious for shootings.
In November last year, seven people were also killed by an unknown gunmen in the township.
