A man was shot dead in Joe Slovo last week, marking the latest in a series of murders and violent crimes that have plagued the area.
The community was on edge as law enforcement struggles to contain the surge of criminal activity. This recent incident highlights the urgent need for increased security measures and community intervention, community activists say.
Residents are calling for immediate action to address the root causes of this violence and to bring those responsible to justice.
“We don’t feel safe,” said one of the residents who did not wish to be identified as he feared for his safety.
READ MORE: Milnerton police address crime concerns in Dunoon and Joe Slovo
“We constantly have to look over our shoulder and wonder if we are next,” he told the newspaper. “We cannot live like this.”
Milnerton police said their officers attended to a complaint of murder in Ingwe street, Joe Slovo Park last Monday. On their arrival on the scene they found the victim, an unknown man, with gunshot wounds to the head.
“The victim was declared dead on the scene by the ambulance staff,” said police spokesperson Captain Nopaya Madyibi. “The age of the deceased is unknown at this stage. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, and no arrest has been made.”
More murders
Just last week Milnerton detectives asked the public to locate the family of a deceased person, an unknown black man found in his bed at MT244 Mshini Wam squatter camp in Joe Slovo.
“Estimated to be late 30s, at the time of his passing the deceased unknown male was wearing black jeans and a black jacket,” Madyibi said. “The community members know the deceased only by the name Lebo. No documents were found in his possession to identify him, and his nationality is unknown.”
TygerBurger reported in May of a 28-year-old woman, Gcobisa Mabija, who was shot and killed in Joe Slovo Park.
READ: ‘Murders take place mostly on Saturdays and Sundays’: Safety under the spotlight at CPF meeting
The month before, an extortion-related incident left two men and a security guard wounded in a shooting in Joe Slovo.
According to a witness who asked not to be named, two men were inside a shop allegedly robbing it.
“The two alleged robbers fled the shop and went in the Racecourse Road direction and ended up in Long Claw Road, where they were caught by a security company. Emergency services were called to the scene and the wounded were taken to hospital.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said two counts of murder were being investigated.
“Milnerton police are investigating a double attempted murder, following an incident on Monday at 18:00:00 in Joe Slovo Skrobeni, where two adult males were shot and injured.
“According to reports members attended a shooting incident at a medical facility in Du Noon. On arrival they found both victims, who were transported by private transport to the facility. The motive behind this shooting incident forms part of the police investigation. There are no arrests as yet, the investigation continues.”
