While police are scrambling to put the puzzle pieces together and root out ongoing killings in the Nyanga policing precinct, a local structure is urging them to conduct an investigation.
The call follows the killing of yet another three people at Ntlangano Crescent on Sunday 15 October. The latest in a string of killings that have rocked the community.
In a previous incident, two people were shot and killed in Crossroads (“Two men shot and killed in Crossroads”, City Vision, Thursday 10 October).
The Nyanga Community Policing Forum is appealing to the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, to deploy police units into the area to eradicate the ongoing killings.
Dumisani Qwebe, Nyanga CPF secretary, described crime in the neighbourhood as getting out of hand. He appealed for an urgent intervention, including the deployment of different police units to eradicate the killings.
“We also need the officers to conduct investigation into all the Somali-owned shops. In most cases, these incidents occur not too far from their businesses or their (Somalis) names are always linked to these killings and shootings. We don’t want to speculate but we appeal to the officers to investigate them,” said Qwebe.
He stated that officers alone cannot win the battle against crime and appealed to residents to join the battle against crime.
Provincial police spokesperson Col Andre Traut confirmed the incident. According to police, the incident could be linked to extortion or possibly a retaliation attack.
“The three yet to be identified victims were ambushed by their killers at around 16:00 in Ntlangano Crescent. One of the victims was found inside his white Toyota Avanza, one next to the vehicle and one in a tailoring business operating from a container in the street,” said Traut.
Witnesses are requested to contact Saps on 08600 10111 or by using the My Saps mobile application.
Callers may remain anonymous.