South African Police at the Ysterplaat Air Show on 28 October 2000. Photo: Flickr/Simon Brooke
Port Elizabeth: Police manhunt launched to find suspects who shot boy, five
The young boy was playing close to an adult male who was the actual target.
South African Police at the Ysterplaat Air Show on 28 October 2000. Photo: Flickr/Simon Brooke
According to a press statement by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) office of the Provincial Commissioner in the Eastern Cape (EC), a 72-hour activation plan has been launched to apprehend alleged suspects involved in a recent shooting.
The activation plan will involve various units working together to solve the crime.
72-hour activation plan launched to capture PE suspects
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga said an immediate manhunt plan was implemented by the police to find suspects who allegedly shot a five-year-old boy in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth.
The incident occurred on 6 October 2019 in the evening. Reports state that a 35-year-old man was sitting on the pavement in Terblanche Street in Gelvandale with the boy playing not far from him.
A man and a young boy were shot in Port Elizabeth
Two males approached and when they were about 30 metres away they pulled out firearms and started shooting at the unnamed man. The suspects shot the adult male in his hip and a stray bullet hit the child in the stomach.
The two men then got away in a white Hyundai vehicle. Both victims managed to survive the shooting and are now in a hospital in Port Elizabeth.
Two attempted murder cases opened by police
The police said they were investigating two cases of attempted murder. Ntshinga revealed that she’s assigned a team of dedicated officers in Port Elizabeth to hunt down the suspects.
She also released a statement saying:
“We will not tolerate such audacity from these criminals. We will be forcefully clamping down on this lawlessness and we will be asserting the authority of the state by vigorously implementing our operational strategies.”
Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga, Eastern Cape Police Provincial Commissioner
EC Police zero-tolerance approach
Ntshinga added:
“We cannot allow our innocent children to become victims, therefore I urge the communities not to protect these criminals but to expose them.”
Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga, Eastern Cape Police Provincial Commissioner
The adult male was believed to be linked to the Upstand Dog gang. No further information was available at the time of publication.
Port Elizabeth police ask for the public’s help
The Port Elizabeth police have asked for assistance in their investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Colonel Mike Grobler on 082 442 1825 or SAPS Gelvandale on 041 402 2018.
The police revealed that all given information would be kept strictly confidential and callers may remain anonymous if they choose so.
