THE air in Wentworth is thick with fear and anger following recent shootings, bombings and a death.
A family has been left with nothing after a petrol bomb thrown into their home caused a raging fire and burnt it to the ground.
Stephany Kowlessar (19) was asleep with her two children, aged two and three, when she heard strange noises outside the shack in Woldraad Road. “I could hear someone fiddle with the lock and then try to lift the roof. I closed my eyes, hoping they would leave us alone but a few minutes later I could smell burning,” said Kowlessar.
I could hear someone fiddle with the lock and then try to lift the roof
She acted quickly and gathered the children to escape the growing flames and in a matter of minutes, it was all gone. Stephany’s mother, Jennifer Kowlessar, was out of the area when it happened. “I’m just grateful my family was not hurt. The strangest thing was that everything was destroyed except for the Bible, which was only slightly burned. I think there was a guardian angel who triggered my daughter to act fast. We have no idea who did this but we are now living on edge because we know we are up against dangerous people,” said Jennifer.
Being the sole bread winner and living with 11 people in an one bedroom flat, life has become hard for Jennifer. “All the clothing including the children’s school clothes, bedding, blankets and food went up in flames. And I can’t do it on my own. This random attack on us and in other parts of Wentworth is causing pain. How do recover from this? We have nothing now,” she cried.
Provincial SAPS spokesman, Major Shooz Magudulela said other shooting cases were reported in the area over the weekend, including a murder on Friday, 27 May where a 25-year-old man was shot in the upper arm and shoulder. “He was taken to hospital where he later died of his injuries. A 25-year-old man was arrested for murder and will appear in Durban Magistrates Court,” he said. In another incident a woman was hit in the upper arm by a stray bullet when it went through her flat window. “She was taken to hospital for medical attention. A case of attempted murder was opened and no arrests have been made,” he added.
Frustration continues amid reports of places of worship being targeted and random attacks on people’s homes and lives leave more questions than answers. A resident of Wentworth who asked not to be named, said the past weekend has been filled with senseless violence which shows no signs of stopping. “We are all scared and the community is up in arms. It makes me so angry that our children are no longer safe,” she said.
The woman has been personally affected by the shootings. Her aunt was struck by a stray bullet while she slept and the mosque she attends sports bullet holes in its walls and doors. “This shows a lack of disrespect, it’s a place of worship and a place where we are supposed to feel safe,” she added.
She believes gang violence needs to come to an end. “How many lives need to be lost? It’s sad and it’s not a nice thing to wake up to. Police need to step up and try to bring law and order to this place,” she said.
Wife of the Imam at Austerville Mosque who wants to remain anonymous, said the shooting happened around 10pm on Friday, 27 May. “They were shooting the whole night across the road. I have been here for 30 years and I have never had such an experience. This was the first time I heard gunshots,” she said.
I have been here for 30 years and I have never had such an experience
She thought something was strange when she went downstairs. She followed her suspicions and found bullet holes in the wall and door and shells laying on the floor. “The police are yet to come to the mosque to see what happened. We had to take the bullets to the station for testing. It’s all very unreal because the violence is getting worse. I’m terrified to sleep,” she said.
Attempts to elicit comment from Wentworth SAPS were unsuccessful as all media queries were referred to the KZN police’s media desk.
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