Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
Residents of Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, say they are still living in fear – three months after the deadly shooting incident at the Kwanoxolo Tavern, which claimed the lives of nine patrons.
The incident took place around midnight on the 21st of December last year, when a group of suspects in a taxi and a sedan approached the tavern and began opening fire on patrons.
More than 12 other patrons were wounded during the incident.
Eleven suspects were originally arrested on Christmas Eve at a house belonging to a mine. However, in early January this year, charges were dropped against six suspects due to a lack of evidence.
Three months later and fear still lingers in the air in the area. The tavern’s doors remain closed.
Five foreign nationals are currently behind bars, facing a string of charges including murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms.
Lungile Myeki, who was at the scene at the time of the incident, says he no longer visits taverns in the area as he fears for his life.
“ I don’t know why I went back because I had already left with my house mate to sleep. I really don’t know why went back because I woke up in hospital. I thought I took the R100 I left and went back to buy more alcohol. But when I came back from the hospital the money is still in the house, I didn’t take it. This incident really scared me because I saw that I almost lost my life, I am thankful to God and my ancestors because many people died.”
Just this past Saturday night, several patrons at a tavern just a few metres from Kwanoxolo, were allegedly robbed at gunpoint while watching a soccer match.
Local resident, Kenneth Mngomezulu, says police need to be more visible in the township to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
“We are little bit scared now because the police are still coming around. But what we really need is for the police to spread themselves here. It will be very simple for them to do so, and it will make it easy for us to see that they are really working.”
Security strategist, Andy Mashaile, says the only way to combat serious and violent crime across the country is for the strengthening of intelligence networks at law enforcement agencies.
Mashaile who has visited the tavern says police need to work more closely with communities to establish a tight-knit intelligence network.
“We are losing the strategy of crime prevention, crime combating and crime detection because our intelligence does not help us to prevent crime. So long story short, the communities and police have a responsibility. Police need to be dominating this space, not criminals dominating the space.”
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/bekkersdal-residents-living-in-fear-three-months-after-mass-shooting/
