Shooting haunts Melville
WHILE Gauteng police are still hunting for the gunmen behind the New Year’s Day fatal drive-by shooting in Melville, the famous 7th Street has been a lot quieter lately as patrons fear for other similar crimes.
Loud music and chatter coming from a variety of nightclubs, eateries and shops that line the popular 7th Street have seemingly been stifled as the community of Melville was still picking itself up following the fatal event during New Year’s celebrations.
Two women were shot dead after unknown gunmen driving a black BMW SUV randomly opened fire at patrons inside Poppy’s restaurant. Six other people were wounded and later hospitalised.
Panyaza Lesufi, who was acting Gauteng Premier at the time, promised a swift arrest of the perpetrators as a team to track them had been assembled.
He also said the vehicle used by the gunmen had a cloned number plate.
Although Poppy’s and other businesses along the street had shut their doors soon after the shooting, they have since reopened but it seems the normally vibrant street has not recovered from the shock.
A supermarket owner, who has been trading in 7th Street for 12 years, said 13 days after the incident happened the atmosphere has not been the same.
“Usually at around 3pm there is a buzz but now it’s quiet.
“Although some businesses have been closed (after the shooting), they’re slowly reopening and operating as usual but the street is not as full as it used to be before the shooting,” he said yesterday.
Mike Ngwenya, manager at SIPS Wines, also on 7th Street, said their business has not been affected at all.
“Our store sells expensive wine so we hardly get walk-ins. We usually work with clients and companies.”
He added that he has also noticed that more surveillance cameras have been installed on the street.
He said this will help 7th Street to be much safer than it was before.” Ward 87 Councillor Bridget Steer, said there has been a lot more police visibility.
A guard for a private security company told The Star that the neighbourhood has quietened down.
“This street is not as busy as it was. I think the incident really scared people and that’s what is keeping them away.”
Gauteng police have offered a cash reward for information that could lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrator(s) responsible for the Melville incident and another shooting at the Mary Fitzgerald Square which happened later that day.