City of Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba has promised to install CCTV cameras on Vilakazi Street.
This comes after a robbery at Sakhumzi Restaurant in the early hours of Sunday this past weekend turned fatal.
One of the hotspot’s beloved managers was shot and killed when three gunmen demanded access to the restaurant after it was closed.
Mashaba visited the establishment today to offer his support and condolences to colleagues, friends, and patrons.
“I will be talking to the provincial police commissioner so that this case is prioritised.
“We are serious about security and as a result, in the next few months we will be installing CCTV cameras to monitor who enters and leaves this street,” said Mashaba.
The shooting has left other businesses owners on the same street fearing for their businesses. The Wine Bar and The Box Shop have previously fallen victim to the crime.
Sakhumzi Maqubela is yet to come to terms with the death of his manager who has been working with him for two years.
“We are saddened by this loss. He was my teacher when I was still in primary school in the Eastern Cape. I decided to bring him here to manage the business when I saw that it was growing,” said Maqubela.
Even though the incident has raised concerns about safety in the local business fraternity, Maqubela has urged people not to fear because crime is not only in Soweto but it’s everywhere in the world.
He has also called on tourists from all over the world to continue visiting Soweto and Vilakazi Street as it is still safe to do so.
“We send out a strong message to criminals that they can not intimidate us. They should be arrested and taken out of our community as a matter of urgency.”
Kwalichaba Chesanyama owner Max Lichaba called on all business owners on Vilakazi Street to stand together and fight crime.
Also read: Sakhumzi Manager gunned down
https://twitter.com/tanyaheydenrych/status/826381589563191296
https://twitter.com/sowetourban/status/826373275404075008
https://twitter.com/sowetourban/status/826372311217537024
This #Sakhumzi tragedy is a country-wide problem. We must help these businesses succeed. We must make sure residents and tourists feel safe.
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) January 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/sowetourban/status/826369438106652672
