A 21 year-old man was shot and killed in Gelvandale on Saturday night as the gang-wars in Port Elizabeth's northern areas show no signs of abating.
In one of the bloodiest weeks of the year in the city's gang-lands - seven young men have now lost their lives in the Northern Areas since last Tuesday night.
Warrant Officer Alwin Labans says that at around 6.30pm on Saturday, a shooter who is known to police, walked up to the 21 year-old who was standing talking to friends on the corner of Springbok and Bell Streets in Gelvandale.
He fired several shots, hitting the victim in the chest and face.
Labans says the mortally wounded man tried to run away and collapsed in nearby Zimdahl Street where he died of his injuries.
Warrant Officer Labans told AlgoaFM news that it was time the public took control of the situation and stopped blaming the police.
He said there were many community organisations they could go to with information if they did not want to talk to the police direct.
Labans asked how long the Northern Areas community was prepared to be held ransom by gangsters.
He added that the specially appointed gang task team was severely stretched as it was being swamped by one killing after the other.
