Police minister Fikile Mbalula has issued a warning to gangsters in Elsies River that police are coming for them.
Mbalula was speaking during a briefing at the Elsies River Police Station where police officers and community organisations gathered to discuss their concerns.
This follows a shooting in Leonsdale on Monday 1 May where a group of people were gunned down in Tiara Close.
Police spokesperson, Captain Daphne O’Reilly, says the group were celebrating a birthday when gunmen in two vehicles pulled up, stopped and opened fire.
She says at the time, a 17-year-old boy and a 50-year-old man died on their way to hospital. Speaking to TygerBurger on Wednesday, she confirmed that two more people have died. While the incident is suspected to be gang–related, police say at this stage they are unable to confirm this.
In his address, Mbalula lashed out at gangsters who he said were holding communities hostage. He promised an increased police presence to address gang violence and said: “We know it’s not easy for the community and we are here at a very sad time. We want those gangsters to know we are coming for you. We have an appointment, we cannot allow South Africa to be gripped in fear”.
