Parliament, Sunday, 08 March 2020 – The premeditated and callous shooting of the 11 people in the City of Cape Town’s Khayelitsha Township, in the early hours of today, shows the vulnerability of the people when criminals target the unlicensed liquor outlets as these liquor outlets are often targeted by the criminals.

“I was horrified and deeply saddened to learn of this tragic event in which four young people were mowed down in the prime of their lives and a further seven may have their lives damaged forever,” said Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the Chairperson on the Portfolio Committee on Police.

Ms Joemat-Pettersson said that the attack proves that the illegal liquor outlets and taverns attract the murderous gangsters who ensure that nothing stops them from controlling the premises, extort money from the ordinary people, and enrich themselves no matter that takes the lives of the people.

Members of the community are urged to cooperate with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to remove these murderers from the society.

“These people are monsters. They are not friendly to anyone. They will turn on those who shelter and help them just as easily as they walked into that shebeen on Sunday morning and shot 11 people,” Joemat-Petersen said.

Ms Joemat-Pettersson also called on the SAPS to compile a water tight case against the accused so that when they appear before the court, the court will have no doubt about who they are, what they did, and sentence them the maximum punishment they deserve.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MS TINA JOEMAT-PETTERSSON

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