Cape murder 'gang-related'
2005-05-19 09:28
Cape Town - The killing of a woman, who was shot dead, and three children, who burnt to death in a house in Mitchell's Plain, was apparently gang-related.
A man has been arrested after the four people, including a three-year-old toddler, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning when a group of men allegedly threw a petrol bomb into a house in Chrysler Street, Mitchell's Plain.
A family member, who did not want to be named, said the attack was gang-related. "They (the gang) wanted to buy the house, but Desmond (Pipers, the owner of the house who escaped with two friends), refused. They shouted outside the house earlier this week: 'Sell the house or we'll bomb it'."
The double-storey house, in which nine people were present at about 04:00 when the attack took place, was destroyed in the blaze.
Inspector Bernadine Steyn, a police spokesperson, said the men woke up the residents of the house by knocking on the door.
"Moments later, a fire, allegedly caused by the men, spread through the house. The attackers fired shots and a 24-year-old woman was killed." Steyn said it is mere speculation at this stage that a bomb caused the fire.
Family members said Thuwayba Pipers, 24, was shot in the chest when she tried to flee the house. Her daughter, Lameez, 3, and her cousin, Rudayba Whittle, 14, died in the fire.
Shannon Jacobs, 8, could also not leave the house in time. His mother, Charlene Jacobs, is in a coma in Tygerberg Hospital.
A neighbour said Jacobs jumped about 5m from the top storey to escape the flames. Jacobs's ten-year-old daughter, Simone, jumped from a window and ran to her grandmother's house.
'Little angel'
Her other daughter, 13, who lives with her grandmother, said: "I am so sad about my brother".
"What did he do wrong? My sister (Simone) told me that she tried to help Shanoon, but the flames were everywhere. He shouted for help, but he went quiet after a while."
Mareldia Whittle was distraught on Wednesday and said she would miss her grandchild (Lameez) a lot. "I loved her very much. She was my little angel."
Those who died in the blaze will be buried on Thursday morning.
A man from Mitchell's Plain was arrested about seven hours after the attack.
Sapa reports that Mike Lightley of the city's emergency services said Pipers's body was found near the front door.