Scourge of murders in informal settlement worries Rabie Ridge
Association chairperson Charles Jones said as the community they were wary of murders and several gun sounds at the settlement.
Following the second murder in the Rabie Ridge informal settlement, the residents association chairperson, Charles Jones, says the community is living in fear.
The latest murder happened on September 4 around 20:10.
Jones said although the community is not the one targeted, murder cases happening in the informal settlement are far too many.
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He said despite authorities’ attempt to remove the dwellers, the battle was nowhere near coming to an end, as the dwellers returned immediately after authorities left.
“I have raised concerns regarding this informal settlement in an Integrated Development Planning (IDP) meeting at the Rabie Ridge Community Hall earlier this year [April 6]. But to date, nothing has been done to ensure that the dwellers are permanently removed,” said Jones.
He said one life lost in their area was far too many and asked about the number of illegal guns in the area.
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Ekurhuleni police spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela said the deceased in the latest incident was a 31-year-old male.
Sekgobela said on September 9 the deceased went to a shack to pick up a USB. “The deceased went in and after a while came out, and two unknown males came. One of them shot him in the upper body and middle. Several shots were fired before the suspects fled the scene on foot,” confirmed Sekgobela.
She said Rabie Ridge police are investigating a murder case at this moment, and the motive of the killing is unknown.
Sekgobela appealed to members of the community who might have information regarding the suspects to come forward.
In an article, One dead over land dispute in Rabie Ridge, [Week ending 30 August], Sekgobela said authorities were probing a murder case after a fight allegedly ensued between a 42-year-old suspect and a 29-old victim who was fatally shot over the erection of shacks.
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