The Helderberg faced a somber start to the week following two fatal incidents in basin.
Somerset West police are investigating a fatal shooting at a shopping centre located in the Somerset Mall precinct that claimed the life of a young man.
The incident occurred Monday morning (6 October) at the Melcksloot Village, with authorities and emergency services responding to the scene in the parking area before 09:00.
When DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette arrived on scene, a crowd of curious onlookers had gathered around the cordoned off area in shock and disbelief, with some visibly emotional.
Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, Somerset West police spokesperson, confirmed an inquest docket has been opened into the shooting, which police officers responded to at 08:45.
“On their arrival, police officers found a 27-year-old man in his motor vehicle in a parking bay. The man was alone in the vehicle,” said Jantjies. “The man died on the scene with an open wound to the head. The circumstances surrounding the shooting will form part of police investigation.”
The incident was preceded by another tragedy, which prompted Strand police to open an inquest docket for further investigation.
According to provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, officers conducting patrols responded to reports of a scene near the bridge in the vicinity of the N2 highway around 06:30 on Monday.
“Upon arrival, they found the body of a man [hanging from] a rope tied around his neck on an electric tower. The police officers requested the assistance of the [City of Cape Town’s] Fire and Rescue Service to retrieve the body,” said Swartbooi.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the Fire and Rescue Service, said they responded to an emergency call of an adult male hanging from a pylon on an open field near a fast-food restaurant along Main Road, Strand, around 07:40.
“A crew from the Strand Fire Station responded to the emergency call and had to cut the barbed wire to reach the victim. Just as they finished cutting the wire, the rope around the victim’s neck snapped and he fell to the ground,” said Carelse.
Swartbooi further added: “The 46-year-old Malawian national was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The victim was identified on the scene by a person known to him.”
The circumstances around the incident forms part of the police investigation, he added.
A public appeal is hereby made to anyone with additional information to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile Application MySAPS anonymously.
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