Police in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have cast their net wide in search of suspected hitmen following two separate shootings that claimed the lives of four people on Friday, October 6.
According to police reports, a group of about six unknown men approached a congregation at the Eagle Christian Centre church in Newlands.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said: “The suspects fired shots and three people were injured. One of the victims who succumbed to his injuries was identified as the pastor of the church.
“The suspects robbed people of their cellphones and other belongings before they fled the scene.”
Nevhuhulwi said a case of murder and two counts of attempted murder have been opened for further investigations.
In a separate incident at Kathrada Park in Sophiatown a group of unknown black men reportedly entered a tavern and started shooting randomly at the patrons before driving off in a white bakkie.
Nevhuhulwi confirmed that three people lost their lives, while eight were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.
Gauteng police provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has condemned these “barbaric incidents” in the strongest possible terms.
Police have made a desperate plea for community members to lend a helping hand with information that can assist in bringing the culprits to book.
On Wednesday Clyde McCabe, a 44-year-old father and his 14-year-old daughter were shot at in Waterval, Newlands. Unfortunately McCabe succumbed to his injuries at the Helen Joseph Hospital.
Speaking to Sunday World, Westbury community activist Jefferson Alistair Johnson said there is no information about the suspects who shot at the father and his daughter, nor how many they were.
“On the streets of Westbury we only have JMPD, [which] does drive around in the area. Since the deployment of police, the community lost about 50 people to date, and it’s continuing daily,” he said.
Reflecting on police minister Bheki Cele’s visit to Westbury early this year, Johnson said if Cele had kept his promise, the community of Westbury would be in a better space.
“Last week we had a policeman that was shot in our area, that could have been prevented, listen to the voice of the people, it does really help,” Johnson added.
Elaborating on the demands made by the the community to the police ministry, Johnson said: “We gave general Masha, General Mawela and the [police] minister certain demands. However, they never did what we asked.
“We asked them for a door-to-door search in Westbury, Newclare, Waterval , Claremont, Corronationville and Bosmont. We need them to bring the kingpins together for a peace talk.”
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