Gauteng police offer cash reward for New Year’s shootings

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng is offering a cash reward for information that will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrators responsible for two shootings which took place on New Year’s Day in Johannesburg.

“A cash reward is on offer to any individual who can give information on either one of the shooting incidents — on condition such information leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of the suspects,” police said in a statement.

Melville Shooting: Two killed

Just after midnight, on 1 January, the occupants of a black BMW SUV started shooting randomly at revellers outside Poppy’s Restaurant in Melville.

Eight people were shot and two were declared dead at the scene.

It is believed that an altercation had ensued between patrons and that the suspect(s) returned later — firing shots from the vehicle.

Skeem Saam and Erfsondes actor Mortimer Williams was one of those who were shot. Speaking to the media afterwards, he said he initially thought fire crackers were going off.

“I saw a friend who I hadn’t wished a happy new year yet and when I went outside to do so, I heard this noise. It sounded like [fire) crackers going off, but then I realised I had been shot.”

Vehicle used in the shooting was ‘cloned’

Acting Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemned the incident and called on the public to assist in identifying any suspects.

He also revealed that police had made some progress on the case.

“The vehicle that was involved was a ‘cloned’ vehicle — the number plate does not match the plates of the vehicle,” Lesufi said.

“We are in a serious situation and we need to confront this as a society. We can’t have these violent activities where people shoot each other, stab each other and fight. It’s a huge burden on the resources of the hospitals.”

11 people wounded in Mary Fitzgerald Square shooting

About two hours later, eight people were injured in another shooting on the other side of Johannesburg at Mary Fitzgerald Square near the CBD.

According to police, the gunman fired several shots from the upper level of the nearby M2 (south-bound) double-decker bridge, targeting the VIP area at Mary Fitzgerald Square.

In his reaction to this incident, Lesufi said: “I have all the trust in our police that the perpetrators will be brought to book. We are determined as a province to halve crime by 2030, this incident will not deter us in achieving this vision.”