The community of Sivewright Street said they were tired of the murders being committed and illegal miners taking over their area.
This came after an incident during which a young woman was raped, two other women were shot, a young man was killed and another assaulted.
Also read: Police issue official warning of Sivewright Street
Krugersdorp Police spokesperson Captain Raymond Sebonyane confirmed the attacks and said they were investigating a case of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and rape that happened at 02:30 on Tuesday February 15.
It is alleged that ten unknown men entered a flat in Richmond Court through an opened front door. Five of them had firearms. They wanted to have sex with two women they found inside the flat but the women refused. The thugs then shot both women in the upper body. A bystander was also shot,” he told the News.
Captain Sebonyane added that four of the men then went to a nearby tavern where they assaulted another man with a pistol and grabbed his girlfriend. They took her to an unknown destination and unfortunately, all ten raped her.
“Police and emergency services were summoned to the scene where a male victim was declared dead and a case of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and rape was opened. The wounded victims were taken to hospital for treatment. No arrests have been made and investigations continue.”
The News spoke to one of the victims, Peter Skero, who explained that he and his girlfriend were coming home from a club on Tuesday morning, February 15. As they arrived home and Skero was trying to open the gate they heard shots being fired.
The two of them ran because he failed to open the gate. The men subsequently cornered them and one of them hit Skero over the head, causing him to lose consciousness.
The men then carried his girlfriend away and raped her.
Another man showed the News where the young man was shot and killed in the flat on the corner of Sivewright Street.
Dodo Hlasi, another resident of the street alleged that the men told the woman that her boyfriend had to bring them R2 000 and then they would release her, but they eventually let her go after all of them had raped her. Reportedly she was told to warn the community that if anyone should report them they would return and kill everyone in Sivewright Street.
Hlasi said they had marched to the Krugersdorp Police Station last year because they have had enough of the illegal miners threatening their lives – they don’t know what to do anymore. She said Tuesday morning’s attacks and murder were not the first, and all the trouble had started when the mine closed down.
Mathilda Huma, another local resident and councillor posed the question that if the police knew where these illegal miners lived, why didn’t they remove and arrest them?
Captain Sebonyane said police are appealing to members of the public to assist with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. He advised the community not to approach them as they could be armed and were perceived to be dangerous.
Anyone who might have any information about the suspects may contact Krugersdorp Police on 011 951 1151, 011 951 1152, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111; or information may be communicated via the My SAPS app or SMS on 32211 to remain anonymous.
