POLICE gunned down four suspected extortionists in a dramatic shootout on Wednesday night in Site C in Khayelitsha.
According to cops, they followed up on information that skelms were shaking down local businesses in the area.
When officers spotted mense fitting the description, they confronted them, and the skote started klapping.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that four suspects believed to be alleged extortionists were shot dead in a confrontation with police on Wednesday night.
Potelwa reported: “Four male persons were shot dead on Wednesday evening in Site C, Khayelitsha, in a confrontation with police.
“Police reports indicate that Provincial Combat team members were following information about suspects involved in the extortion of businesses in the area when a vehicle with occupants fitting the description was spotted.
“It was followed and members attempted to pull the vehicle over on Japhta K Masemola Road. The occupants of the vehicle pulled out firearms and pointed them at the police. The team responded, and as a consequence, four males were fatally wounded.
“Three firearms were confiscated on the scene. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the shooting incident.”
Spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Phaladi Shuping, confirmed that the incident was reported to IPID for investigation.
Councillor Mongezi Mabungane shared that extortionists in Khayelitsha are a huge concern and are now targeting schools in the area.
He said: “The issue of extortion is a very big concern. I have raised this issue several times in council meetings, where I have asked the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate to look into it.
“Extortionists are not only affecting the businesses in Khayelitsha, especially Site C, but also the residents.
“We have heard from some of the schools that these extortionists are targeting the schools. They say that they can protect the schools, and for the schools to be protected, they need to be paid a minimum amount.”
This comes after four men were shot the night before, also in Site C, when two males, aged 20 and 23, were shot dead, and two others, aged 20 and 22, were transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Khayelitsha detectives are investigating two counts of murder and two of attempted murder.
ON CASE: Sergeant Wesley Twigg
Image: File