DA Shadow MEC Kate Lorimer lashes out at authorities over recent shootings

Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety Kate Lorimer responded to the recent shootings in the Westbury area.

She said that the residents of Westbury in Johannesburg can no longer tolerate yet another gunshot, shooting, killing or any unrest in the community.

“Westbury has become a warzone and year on year, residents mourn the loss of loved ones. “Most recently a series of shootouts occurred in the community over the weekend,” said Lorimer.

Daily shootings have become the norm and according to the latest crime statistics, 16 murders occurred and a further 86 attempted murders were reported at the Sophiatown SAPS for the year. An astonishing number of drug-related crimes were committed during 2014/15, with a total of 1515 reported.

“SAPS in the community are not taking swift action and residents have said that very little to no action is taken by the Sophiatown Police Station officers.

“I will write to the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General D.S De Lange, to plead with them to put a specialised task team in place to monitor and pre-empt violence and drug related crime in Westbury,” said Lorimer.

Lorimer also brought to attention that drug hotspots and corruption could also be the cause of the shootings.