Fears mount after shooting in Malvern

Fears of further violence, and the possibility of innocent people being caught in the middle, are mounting after a man was gunned down in Malvern last weekend.

Mr Mike Spadino, the chairperson of the Malvern United Community Forum, said he and other members of the community were close to 33rd and 34th streets on Sunday last week when they heard several gunshots.

“We heard several gunshots, screeching cars and people screaming and running. When the gunshots stopped we went to investigate. A man was shot several times. He was dead and lying on Jules Street,” said Mr Spadino.

Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer, said another man was also shot in the leg. “The man who was killed was shot five times. Community members who witnessed the incident apprehended one of the suspects. Police were patrolling when they heard the gunshots. The man was handed over to the police and it transpired that he was an accomplice. According to the witnesses, the other suspect fled the scene in a blue VW Polo,” she said.

She said the motive for the shooting is still unknown.

Mr Spadino said the area in which the incident took place was highlighted to the SAPS on various occasions as being a problematic one that needed urgent intervention.

The EXPRESS has, on numerous occasions, published articles on Mr Spadino’s concerns about drug dealing, problems outside liquor outlets and other illegal activities in Malvern.

He identified the area between 27th and 37th streets, St Frusquin, Persimmon and St Amant streets as being problematic.

He previously stated that he was concerned drug dealing would lead to a drug war and that residents would start taking the law into their own hands.

“I have been calling for taverns to be closed down and action taken against drug dealers for a long time. The Cleveland SAPS is fully aware of my concerns. Police officers have made a bust there but more needs to be done to bring down the kingpins. There are taverns that do have licenses to operate but this does not mean they are doing everything above-board.

“Problems are emanating from these businesses and the SAPS should be working with other authorities to close them down. If a tavern is building illegally, action must be taken. This is one way of getting rid of those contributing to problems in the suburb. Drug dealing and other illegal activities are seen around these taverns,” he said.

He said drug dealing in Malvern is booming and this could possibly lead to a turf war.

“Malvern is a haven for drugs. It is a lucrative business. If the SAPS spends time in this area they will see what is going on. They do patrol and attend to crimes committed, but they need to implement measures to stop incidents from taking place. Maybe they are afraid to tackle the kingpins, I am not sure, but more has to be done,” he said.

Speaking about the shooting last weekend, Mr Spadino said, “We were lucky that innocent children or passers-by were not killed or wounded.”

He said he hopes this is a wake-up call to authorities. “Something must be done before more people die unnecessarily,” he said.

Const Mashakane said stop-and-search operations are conducted in the area highlighted by Mr Spadino.

When asked how bad the drug problem in this area is, she said, “At this moment we cannot say how bad it is, as people with information about the drug dealers are not coming forward.”

She said if taverns are operating legally, the SAPS cannot close them down. She said more unexpected visits will be done. “We have liquor officers who, on a daily basis, visit and close illegal liquor outlets. They arrest the owners and confiscate the liquor,” she said.

Const Mashakane said the SAPS has never attended to incidents related to drug wars and no rivalry between drug dealers has been reported. She also said community members are not coming forward with information about drug kingpins.