Rocklands Mass Shooting Claims Life Of 9-Year-Old Boy As Gunmen Open Fire In Mitchells Plain

A nine-year-old boy was among three people killed during a mass shooting in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, on Tuesday night. Five people were attacked when four armed men stormed a property in Viscount Street at around 9pm.

Little Zechariah Matthee, 9, was fatally shot inside the main house, while 19-year-old Cleo Bailey and 26-year-old Mougsheen Daniels were killed in a wendy house on the property. Two other victims, aged 51 and 36, were wounded and remain in recovery.

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A family member, who asked not to be named, confirmed that Zechariah was her grandson and Bailey her daughter. She described the moment she heard the gunfire: “I was at the shop across the veldjie when I heard gunshots going off.”

She said she ran back home to a devastating scene. “I immediately ran into the room, they shot Zechariah lelik. He was shot in the face and in the head.”

Residents Link House to Ongoing Gang Tensions

Neighbours said the property had long been a concern and described it as a pela pos where gangsters were known to hide out. One resident claimed the Fancy Boys gang had been active in the area for weeks.

“This house needs to be closed down because the Fancy Boys hou hier uit,” the neighbour said. “It was raining bullets. I knew they were going to come shoot because for the past three weeks, the Fancy Boys have been taking over here.”

Residents allege the gang has been intimidating the community. “They are saying it is their ground. They want us to be scared,” the resident added.

Police Launch Intensive Manhunt for Rocklands Mass Shooting Gunmen

When police arrived at Viscount Street on Wednesday morning, the road was filled with officers collecting evidence and questioning several men.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed an intensive manhunt was under way. “Preliminary reports indicate that four unidentified gunmen opened fire on the premises before entering the house and shooting the victims,” he said.

“Detectives from the Anti-Gang Unit have been assigned to the investigation and are pursuing several promising leads to track down the perpetrators responsible for this heinous crime.”

The SAPS has appealed to the public for assistance. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile app. Information can be shared anonymously.

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