Tragedy struck the Westbury community of Sophiatown on Tuesday when a mass shooting left six teenagers wounded, two of whom later died from their injuries. The victims, aged between 14 and 19, were reportedly targeted in an attack authorities believe is linked to ongoing gang rivalries in the area....Click to Read More >>➤
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has now issued an urgent call to action. Following the violent incident, the committee is demanding a decisive crackdown on illegal firearms and the immediate deployment of specialised police units to the area.
Committee Chairperson Bandile Masuku expressed profound shock and sadness at the event. He described the shooting as a devastating indictment of the current state of community safety in Westbury. Masuku emphasized that the involvement of young people in such brutal violence highlights a deep-seated crisis.
According to police reports, the victims were attacked by three suspects connected to a rival gang. Two of the teenagers were declared dead upon arrival at a local hospital. The four other victims remain under medical care for their injuries.
The Provincial Anti-Gang Unit and SAPS Forensic Services have processed the crime scene. District Crime Intelligence has also been mobilized to assist in tracing the gunmen. As of now, no arrests have been made, and police investigations are ongoing.
Urgent Call for Action in Westbury
In response to the shooting, the committee has outlined several critical demands. They are calling for intensified police operations to locate, confiscate, and destroy illegal firearms circulating in Westbury and across Gauteng. This initiative includes a proposed audit of guns lost by state institutions and private security firms.
The committee also demands the release of detailed firearm-related crime statistics. They advocate for stronger support for initiatives like Gun Free South Africa. A key recommendation is the deployment of specialised units, including Tactical Response Teams and the Anti-Gang Unit, to stabilise the area and dismantle criminal networks.
Masuku directly linked the ongoing violence to the proliferation of illegal weapons. He stated that the easy access to illegal firearms is a primary enabler of the violence terrorising this community. The committee believes that a concerted effort to remove these weapons is essential for restoring peace.
A Long-Term Strategy for Peace
Beyond immediate police action, the committee is pushing for a sustainable safety strategy. They stress the need for increased investment in social services and youth development programmes. Creating economic opportunities is cited as a vital step to address the root causes of crime and gangsterism in Westbury.
Masuku reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to holding law enforcement agencies accountable. He insisted on swift and decisive action to prevent further bloodshed. The residents of Westbury, he noted, have a constitutional right to live in safety and without fear.
The ongoing terror inflicted by a criminal minority must come to an end. Peace must prevail in Westbury. The community, still reeling from this latest act of violence, awaits the tangible interventions promised by authorities to end the cycle of gang violence and restore safety to their streets. ...Click to Read More >>➤
