Three more killed in Hanover Park

Caryn Dolley

THREE people were killed in gang hot spot Hanover Park within 28 hours at the weekend, despite an increased police presence there.

A 13-year-old girl was shot in the ankle and a 27-year-old critically wounded when caught in crossfire in Belhar yesterday.

No arrests were made.

One of the three murdered in Hanover Park was Lance Jansen, 30, nicknamed “Lucky” by his friends because of the number of times he survived being shot at.

These latest killings bring the total number of people killed in apparent gang shootings around the city in just more than two months to 13.

When the Cape Times visited Hanover Park on Saturday following two of the shootings, a number of police vans, as well as a tactical response team vehicle, were spotted moving through the streets and an armoured police vehicle was parked near blocks of flats.

Residents say Jansen was murdered within walking distance of the armoured vehicle.

Yesterday, police spokesman Andre Traut confirmed the three latest Hanover Park shootings.

He said the following had occurred:

l Friday 11.10pm – Shaun Forbes, 38, was fatally wounded in Johndown Road. Three suspects were involved and one accidentally shot another.

This wounded suspect was arrested on a murder charge.

Police are searching for the two remaining suspects.

l Saturday 3.10am – Lance Jansen, 30, was gunned down in Moray Court. No arrests were made.

l Saturday 7.10pm – A 44-year-old man was killed in Athburg Walk. No arrests were made.

A friend of Jansen’s, who declined to be named, said the Ghetto Kids, Americans and Mongrels gangs were fighting over drug turf.

He said Jansen had been nicknamed “Lucky” because he had survived a number of shootings.

“For the past three nights they were chasing him around, but couldn’t get him,” the friend said.

When Jansen was shot near his flat early Saturday, the friend tried to save him. “I saw Lucky walk past. Then I heard it, ‘Ba ba ba’. I opened the window, jumped out and tried to revive him.”

Freddy Adams, who had watched Jansen grow up, said Jansen had previously been involved with alleged Americans gang leader Gavin Myburgh, who was gunned down six years ago.

One of Jansen’s relatives said he had gone to a tuck shop to buy cigarettes and a packet of chips, and was shot as he was walking back home.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za