Langa Community Policing Forum (CPF) vowed to work closely with the police during the festive season to fight crime in the area.
The remarks came after four people were killed in separate incidents last weekend.
Langa CPF chair Alfred Magwaca described the killings as shocking, citing that urgent actions were needed. He said the festive season is a time for happiness not for mourning.
“Killing people like that is shocking and scary at the same time. The festive season is supposed to be the time for happiness not mourning. People must stop being reckless about their lives. They (people) need to take responsibility for their actions,” he stated.
Magwaca urged shebeen and tavern owners to abide by the City’s bylaws and stop operating beyond their trading hours.
“As the CPF, we need to intensify our patrols to safeguard the community. We believe these incidents have something to do with alcohol. People need to learn to drink responsibly,” he said, cautioning people to prioritise their lives.
Magwaca admitted that crime was rife in the area but it never happened where so many people were killed in a single weekend.
Langa Police Station spokesperson Capt Nondumiso Paul confirmed the incidents. She said they occurred between Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 December. She added that murder cases have been opened.
Paul said the police are trying hard to curb crime in the area and urged the community to come on board.
Paul said on Thursday 1 December at 17:35 the police were informed about a shooting that happened at Block 52. On arrival, they found a dead man.
“It is reported that Nkululeko Manxiwa was standing in front of his flat Winnie Mandela Street Block 52 playing with his phone when a suspect came and shot him several times in his body. The suspect took Manxiwa’s fire-arm and his cellphone and fled the scene on foot,” she said.
On Friday 2 December at zone 30, Torian Miller’s (30) body was found lying in a pool of blood on an open field, said Paul.
It is believed he was shot and killed on the scene. At least one cartridge was found next to his body.
Paul said another incident occurred at Zone 8 on Friday 2 December at 21:00, where a man was shot several times in the upper body. At least 19 cartridges were found on the scene.
Paul said on Sunday 4 December at 00:50 a body of an unknown man was discovered on Washington Drive opposite Iziko Centre with several stab wounds.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or contact Langa Saps at 021 695 8000