Gun-toting gang arrested, appear in KZN

Police have arrested five gang members who terrorised parts of Durban, following the circulation of a viral video last week.

The video shows the suspects recklessly firing 13 shots into the air at the KwaMashu hostel, with bystanders, including children, seen cheering them on.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that the suspects were apprehended earlier this week and appeared in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The suspects, aged between 24 and 43, are scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.

@SAPoliceService we’re not safe at all.
KwaMashu la.

Paul Mashatile
Asavela
Drake
Buhle Samuels
President Cyril Ramaphosa
Ndlozi
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— Mthokozisi Phewa (@PhewaMthoko1985) August 17, 2024

Last Friday, a suspect believed to be part of the gang was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police in Inanda. A firearm was recovered from the scene.

“Police operations continued, and between Monday night and Tuesday morning, five more suspects were arrested along Siyanda Main Road, where officers responded to an armed robbery in progress. Three firearms and a hijacked vehicle were recovered from the suspects.

“One of them fired shots at the police but was overpowered and arrested,” said Netshiunda.

He added that the suspects have been linked to a series of murders, carjackings, and robberies along the Dumisani Makhaye Highway, as well as in KwaMashu, Inanda, Ntuzuma, and surrounding townships.

“We are not yet certain how many members the gang has. We are thankful to the community members who have cooperated with the police to combat crime, and we urge them to continue their efforts.

“We appeal to others who have not yet joined the fight against crime to do so. With the community’s assistance, we tracked down the gunmen, who happened to be from the same area,” Netshiunda said on Friday.

Police are urging anyone who may have been victimised by the suspects to come forward.

A search for additional suspects is ongoing.

Councillor Sandile Gwala expressed that residents in the area are living in fear, and that the parents of the boys involved have lost hope.

“These were schoolboys who were exploited by drug dealers, leading to the formation of numerous gangs within the hostel and nearby informal settlements.

“People are being killed, and it has become normalised. The situation is out of control, and while the local police are doing their best, they are being let down by their superiors.

“We need intervention from national and provincial task teams,” said Gwala.