Amid a spate of gruesome killings the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Lwandle is appealing to different community structures to unite against crime in the area.
According to reports three people were killed in separate incidents on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 May.
The motive was unknown.
In the first incident, at Freedom Park informal settlement in Asanda Village, two unknown males were allegedly assaulted by the community, one fatally. On the same day, at Robben Island informal settlement in Nomzamo, an unknown body was discovered next to the lake.
On Tuesday the body of an unknown man was discovered in Mxolisi Street, Nomzamo.
Lwandle Sanco chair Vuyani Xolelo described crime in the area as alarming. He said the community was fed-up with crime and opted to take the law into their hands.
“The criminals here are doing as they please. Crime is getting out of hand daily. Guns are all over the place. Our lives are in danger.” Xolelo mentioned robbery, murder and hijackings as just some of the common incidents, most occurring over weekends.
“What we’ve picked up on is that the community is scared to speak out. They fear for their lives. It seems they don’t trust the police. So as community leaders we are trying to establish a community policing forum, neighbourhood watch and other stakeholders who work closely with the police to fight crime.” He said they aim to reclaim their streets from the criminals.
Lwandle Police Station spokesperson Sgt Mthokozisi Gama confirmed the incidents. He said three murder cases and one attempted case were opened.
Gama said the first case occurred at Freedom Park informal settlement in Asanda Village at 07:00, when two unknown males were “gruesomely assaulted” by the community. They were tied together and left next to a small river.
“One was lying with his face in the water with no sign of life, while the other was still alive and taken to Hottentons Holland Hospital in Somerset West.”
Gama said the second case occurred about 09:00 at Robben Island where the deceased was found dead beside the river. He said he was found naked with multiple injuries all over. It is believed he was assaulted by the community.
Gama said the third incident occurred on Tuesday about 10:05 at Mxolisi Street, Nomzamo. The 33-year-old was allegedly assaulted by the community and later taken to Hottentots Holland Hospital. He reportedly died on arrival.
Gama said the Lwandle policing precinct maintained zero tolerance for assaulting people. Witnesses can contact Capt D Pillay on 079 894 0119 or 021 845 2060.
