A dark cloud hangs over TT Block, in Khayelitsha, as Western Cape police pull in all the resources available to find the persons responsible for the brutal deaths of three women.
Khayelitsha TT Block murders: Here’s what we know
In a police statement, spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that a 72-hour activation plan has been launched “for the mobilisation of resources in search of suspects/s who shot and killed three young women in Khayelitsha on Monday evening.”
From what we understand, residents from TT Block, an informal settlement in Site B, informed police that multiple gunshots were heard ringing off shortly after 20:00.
A while later, the bodies of three young women were found sprawled along a corridor. According to Brigadier Potelwa, the victims, aged 17, 20 and 21, “had all been shot in their heads.”
What was the motive behind these murders?
Less than 24 hours into the triple homicide investigation, Khayelitsha police have identified the victims but the persons behind the cold-blooded execution have yet to be tracked down and arrested.
Crucial to the murder investigation is ascertaining the motive. At this time, authorities have not revealed much about what leads they’ve picked up thus far.
“As investigations into the murders continue, the motive for the shooting incident is yet to be determined,” Potelwa confirmed.
Murmurs on social media, from Khayelitsha locals, have linked the deaths of the women to a hate crime. According to reports, the victims may have been executed for living their truth as alleged members of the LGBTQI+ community.
However, these claims have not been verified.
At this juncture, the highest priority for Western Cape police is tracking down the persons responsible for the murders and removing them from the streets before they kill again.
“Anyone with information about the incident that could assist the police investigations is urged to contact police… Information received will be handled in strict confidence,” Potelwa urged.
This is a developing story.