The community of St Montague Village in Lavender Hill has been dealt another blow after two teenage brothers were shot and killed.
Angelo, 14, and Antonio Frankford, 17, from Hillview, were murdered while walking down St Bernard Street at about 6.30am on Saturday August 3 when they came under fire.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said both brothers suffered gunshots to their heads and a manhunt has been launched by the Anti-Gang Unit to arrest the perpetrators.
“Provincial Anti-Gang Unit members with support from Steenberg police and other police contingents are following leads in search of the perpetrators of the shooting.”
Brigadier Potelwa said additional police officers have been deployed to the area to assist in the search for the suspects and ensure the area is safe.
The brothers’ aunt spoke to the Southern Mail on Monday while the family were at the mortuary to identify the boys.
The devastated relative said her nephews had been addicted to drugs and the family had tried all avenues to assist them but to no avail.
“We don’t know what happened and don’t know if it’s related to their drug addiction. They didn’t live with us but with their mother in Hillview and would come around when they were hungry or needed something.”
After many attempts through social workers, the family said they were sent from pillar to post looking for help for the teens.
“We really wanted to get help for them but it just didn’t happen and we are heartbroken that their lives were ended in this way,” said the aunt.
The double murder follows several gang-related shootings in the area – about a month prior, two friends, Liam May and Gino Titus, were shot and killed while waiting for food at a take-away shop in St Bernard Crescent – both died on the scene and no arrests have yet been made (“Innocents killed in gang war crossfire”, Southern Mail, July 3.)
Steenberg Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Gavin Walbrugh said the area had been quiet for over a week with no reported injuries or murders until this incident.
“It is very worrying that victims as young as these children do not escape the violence. We don’t know what the reasons are for this, they were allegedly shot execution style so we are at a loss and don’t know the circumstances that led to this.
“We as the CPF extend our sincere condolences to the parents and broader community,” said Mr Walbrugh.
The CPF also implored parents to be aware of where their children are at all times.
“People ask what the CPF, police and organisations are doing but what are the parents doing? Why are children out at that time of the morning without supervision?” questioned Mr Walbrugh.
Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or Steenberg police on 021 702 9000.
