Top cops are set to probe mass killings
CPF demands swift police action after spate of 18 murders
SENIOR detectives from the province’s specialist unit will be probing the Philippi mass murders, according to police management. Provincial police commissioner Khombinkosi Jula’s spokesperson Novela Potelwa said the unit, which included intelligence operatives and the tactical response team, would spearhead the investigation.
Nyanga Community Policing Forum chairperson Sandile Martin said: “Things could turn ugly if no one is arrested for these murders. And unfortunately, there is nothing I will be able to do, because the residents have reached boiling point.”
At least 18 people were killed in the violence in Marikana – which falls under the Nyanga precinct – last week.
On Friday, 11 people were shot in four separate attacks, while seven others were killed in vigilante attacks on Tuesday.
Martin said the situation was calm yesterday, but that residents were still fearful.
“Police have promised to protect the whistle-blowers and we are urging anyone with information to come forward. Too many illegal firearms are circulating in the community… And due to the density of the informal settlements police vehicles are unable to drive between the homes,” he said.
On Saturday, protesters held up placards calling for the army to be deployed and for the provincial commissioner to act. Residents said crime in the community was defeating the police.
Martin said irate protesters also confronted police at their local station.
“They were asking why there had been no response to the three signed memorandums handed to them in the past months.
“The residents felt if police had responded to their demands, Friday’s incident could have been averted, as there have been repeated calls for the Technical Response Unit (TRT) to be deployed. We are still hoping to see the TRT deployment get under way soon as possible,” Martin said.
Earlier this year, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula promised to deploy 60 TRT members in Nyanga before the end of the year to combat crime.
Mbalula told the residents he was aware of their struggle with crime.
Two residents, requesting to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from the alleged killers, claimed that “notorious twins were behind the killings”.
One said: “We suspect well known twins, who randomly shoot people.The community is terrified of them, even the police are afraid, because they never arrest them. They have committed many crimes.
“We have had enough of the criminals in our community and the police are turning a blind eye, because we tell them who commit the crime, but they just tell us they can’t find them. Or they say they are investigating, but they never get back to us.”
Another said her nephew was shot earlier this year. She said people told her it was the twins.
“We went to the police station where we were told the case had been handed over to another investigating officer who promised to inform us, but he has not fulfilled his promise. We want justice…”
Others said it could have been revenge for the shooting last week, where seven people were slain.