Shots reportedly fired at a cemetery during funeral processions
WEST PARK – Last time shots were fired during a funeral, a senior citizen and home were struck by stray bullets.
Residents around West Park Cemetery are up in arms once again over reports of guns being fired once again. Social media reports suggested that around 12:00 on January 27, gunshots could be heard coming from the cemetery.
Sophiatown Police Station has confirmed that they received such a complaint and responded to the matter. Spokesperson Captain TJ de Bruyn said, “On our arrival, we encountered a funeral procession of someone aligned to one of the country’s political parties. It is alleged that some members of the procession fired some shots in the air with unknown calibre. On the arrival of the police, these suspects had already left.”
Captain De Bruyn added that police remained in close proximity to the funeral until all members left the cemetery. No injuries or damage to any property had been reported.
It is not the first time this has happened, one of the most recent similar incidents took place in September last year when shots were fired at the funeral of late, former president of the now-disbanded Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association Kebby Maphatsoe at the same cemetery. Of the shots fired that day, a Westdene Old Age Home resident Margaret Holloway was struck by a stray bullet.
Holloway said, “I went outside to feed the birds, and as I came back, I felt this terrible pain at the back of my leg just as I was walking in. I thought a vain had burst but my leg went all lanky and I couldn’t walk but fortunately, I had my walker.”
She only discovered a while later that she had been shot but could not believe it or understand how it happened. Additionally, a house in Montgomery Park had also been struck by stray bullets from the funeral causing damages to the property.
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