Yet again Westbury has become a danger zone where bullets just seem to keep on flying.
Although many residents of Westbury hate the fact that their neighbourhood is synonymous with gun violence, this has unfortunately been the reality for the past two to three weeks.
On October 9, at about 2.30pm, police attended a scene where a man who was identified as a local pastor was shot in Steytler Street, Westbury.
The victim was taken to hospital where he later died. The police followed up leads and managed to make one arrest. There has been much speculation that the suspect was a minor aged only 17-years old.
The communications officer of the Sophiatown police, Jerbes de Bruyn, said that a case of murder has been opened against the suspect.
The following Monday on October 16, at about 1.30pm an unknown male shot at a group of men in Florida Street in Westbury.
According to de Bruyn, a 23-year-old woman who was working in the area was hit in the neck by a stray bullet taken to a hospital.
No one has been arrested in connection with the incident, but a case of attempted murder has been lodged.
One of the community leaders Shahiem Ismail said, “The Gauteng government is really not showing any interest in the shootings and killings in Westbury.
“We had endless meetings with Police Minister Fikile Mbalula and he announced that the army would be deployed to Westbury. We are still waiting. In the meantime, our community is at risk 24 hours a day.
“Are we not part of this South Africa? I’m tired, fed up with this government for not tending to our people. What do they understand about a crisis and people dying? They are not seeing us as citizens really.”
When it came to the army being deployed in Westbury, de Bruyn said, “Unfortunately I cannot confirm anything about the army. We haven’t received any confirmation regarding that.”
Ismail said that they have been working on a plan for peace on November 5 and asked that have a massive peace prayer day.
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