UPDATE: ‘This is a black day for our village’ – Kensington association

One of the two men murdered (read here) last night at Rhodes Park in Kensington, was a teacher at Westbury High School.

Cleveland CPF chairperson, Ms Alison Roberts, and ward 66 councillor, Clr Carlos da Rocha, laid flowers in memory off the two men who were tied up and thrown into the lake. Their bodies were recovered by police divers in the early hours of Sunday (read here).

Since the EXPRESS broke the story late last night (read here), I Love Kensington Association’s (ILKA) chairman, Mr Tony de Munnik, described the day of the incident as a “black day in our village”.

“No amount of analysis will ever justify the horrendous attack. On behalf of the ILKA team, I extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of this savage and barbaric attack that has left a deep sense of sorrow on all self-respecting citizens,” said Mr De Munnik.

He said ILKA’s sole reason for existence is to represent the best interests of residents and ratepayers and it seeks to create an environment where Kensington residents can live in peace and harmony.

“We want Kensington to be safe and clean and we want to take back Rhodes Park for the benefit of our community. This incident emphasises the need for effective patrolling of public spaces,” he said.

He said ILKA will continue to fight for a clean and safe Kensington and residents’ right to occupy the public spaces in the suburb without fear.

“No one can and should defend that public space policing can be undertaken within the current resource constraints of the public safety and SAPS organisations. The reality is we will continue to be the victim for as long as we allow this resource constraint and lax attitude towards criminal elements to continue.

“It’s time to act now and let us do so in the name of the victims of Saturday’s attack so that October 17 is remembered as the day that another senseless brutal incident became the catalyst for all in our city and in our village to say ‘NO MORE’,” said the chairman.

He said ILKA plans to table its proposal regarding a more effective public space initiative before City of Joburg’s (CoJ) executive mayor, Clr Parks Tau.

ILKA will also engage with the victims to consider the creation of a memorial for the two men murdered last night.