Durban — Three months after the Police Ministry held a crime-prevention imbizo in KwaZulu-Natal, daily reports of drive-by shootings and gun-related violence have been reported across the province since last week.
On Wednesday, three people were shot dead on Zazi Road in Clermont, near Pinetown.
Two men, who sold cow heads for a living, were shot at their roadside stalls, while another was shot nearby in an internet café after he tried to escape the unknown gunmen. Police said that three others, aged 23, 30 and 34 years old, were wounded by stray bullets.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the deceased were reportedly seated in their tent plying their trade when the suspects approached them, and fired several shots without saying a word.
“The suspects followed one of the men and fatally shot him before he could enter a nearby store,” he said.
The motive of the killing was unknown. Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened at KwaDabeka police station.
During the Imbizo in Clermont in October, gun proliferation, corrupt police, safety and crime at schools, drugs and scrapyards as well as the state of the KwaDabeka police station that services Clermont with few resources, were some of the concerns raised by teachers, school governing bodies, community policing forum members as well as local councillors.
After Wednesday's incident the community was left distraught, and some took to social media to express their anger and shock.
Nozipho Khumalo said her friend who used to sell heads had to stop after some “hitmen” demanded he give them money every day.
“This is really painful. A friend of mine is a qualified chartered accountant. He could not find a job so he decided to sell heads next to my workplace since it is a busy place. One day I called him to order for myself and my colleagues. He told me that he had left already and would never come back.
“He said some hitmen came and asked him for money that he had made for the day. He said they told him that he must pay them because they collect from everyone who is selling heads in the area,” she said.
Khumalo said her friend feared for his life since they had guns with them, and they took all of his money.
“This is really sickening. People are hustling. I am assuming that with these shootings maybe they refused to pay up and they were killed,” said Khumalo.
Apholo Apholo said: “Apparently street vendors have to pay rent everywhere now. My friend has a container where he does business. Some men also came one day and demanded that he pays them R1 000, and he refused.
“A week later, his car was burnt, the container was broken into, and money and a cellphone were stolen. He has since closed down his business and life is difficult.”
Meanwhile, in Greenwood Park, Emer-G-Med paramedics reported that two people were shot in Havelock Road while they were seated in their vehicle. The men are recovering in the hospital.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said the men were sitting in a vehicle on Greenlane when they reportedly noticed a vehicle with unknown men driving towards them. Greenwood Park police are investigating a case of attempted murder.
On Thursday last week, eight people, among them two taxi owners, were killed in two drive-by shootings in Durban. On the same day, four other people, aged between 28 and 34, were gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Cato Manor.
Daily News