A shop owner who was shot twice in the upper body on 25 October in Cosmo City succumbed to his wounds and died on the way to hospital.
Honeydew police spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan confirmed the incident. He said the police were investigating cases of business robbery and murder. “The matter is still under investigation,” he said.
According to some of the residents, about four suspects went to the shop posing as customers. They allegedly pointed a gun at one of the two shop owners, demanding cash.
A scuffle then ensued and the suspects fired two shots hitting one of the owners. The other retaliated, shooting one suspect in the leg.
Concerned resident and a member of a safety group in Cosmo City, Liboni Ndou said the incident occurred at 10am.
He said there were many challenges in the area and complained that Gauteng Department of Safety was failing residents. “We have so many challenges in our community. Last month we marched to the Department of Safety,” he said.
He complained that since then, there were at least eight people who were killed in Cosmo City. “We are planning to recruit night patrollers in all extensions to help decrease the rate of crime,” he said.
Muthan said crime has escalated due to the illegal business of building backrooms in Cosmo City. The residents who were allocated RDP houses in the area saw a business opportunity and built more rooms in their yards to rent them out to tenants. According to the police, this has contributed massively to overcrowding in the area.
He said criminals have targeted backroom dwellers and it has increased the problem of robbery and break-ins.
“Cosmo City is contributing a lot to crime in the Honeydew police precinct. We would like the area to have their own station but this decision is beyond the control of the Honeydew police,” he said.
He said that Honeydew police would continue to serve the area in every possible way in order to combat crime incidents. “All necessary stakeholders and government departments should get involved,” he concluded.
Details: Honeydew police 011 801 8604.
