CAPE Town cops are investigating a triple murder.
An e-hailing driver and two passengers were gunned down in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday morning, 17 June.
The incident happened at about 11.10am at the intersection of Merrydale Avenue and Highlands Drive in Lentegeur.
It's alleged driver had picked up a man and a woman, unaware they were being followed by two vehicles.
As they stopped at the intersection, gunmen opened fire, killing all three occupants.
Colonel Andre Traut, spokesman for the police, confirmed that the Anti-Gang Unit is investigating the matter.
"Anti-Gang Unit detectives are following up on all available leads in an effort to apprehend those responsible for a fatal shooting incident that occurred earlier today, claiming the lives of three individuals," said Traut.
He said that preliminary investigations suggest the shooting was carefully planned.
"Preliminary reports indicate that unknown suspects, travelling in two vehicles, opened fire on the occupants of an e-hailing Honda sedan at the intersection of Merrydale Avenue and Highlands Drive in Lentegeur at approximately 11.10am," Traut added.
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He said the motive appears to be gang related.
"The e-hailing driver, a male whose age is yet to be confirmed, and two passengers, a 38-year-old male and a 36-year-old female, sustained fatal gunshot wounds and were declared deceased on the scene."
Traut said the motive for the triple murder is believed to be gang related.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or submit a tip-off anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
Siyabonga Hlabisa, chairman of the Western Cape E-Hailing Association, said the dead driver was a colleague he knew personally.
He said the driver had simply responded to a trip request, unaware that his passengers were involved in gang activity.
"One of our colleagues has been shot. The information I have is that he picked clients he didn't know were part of a gang. When they reached a stop sign or traffic light, they were all shot and killed," said Hlabisa.
He is calling on cops to take action and bring justice for the gruesome murder.
"This is one of our colleagues. It is so sad to hear the news. It's a very painful thing. I hope cops will do everything to ensure those behind the shooters are brought to book. Remember, this driver woke up to go and work for his family, but unfortunately, he will not be able to go back to his family at the end of the day," added Hlabisa.
