A recent surge in shootings has left residents of Chatsworth and surrounding communities gripped by fear, with growing concerns that the attacks may be coordinated and targeted rather than random.
Several incidents have been reported over recent weeks, some taking place in residential areas and in broad daylight, heightening anxiety across parts of southern Durban.
A review of recent cases highlights a disturbing pattern. In one matter, bail was denied in a double murder case at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court, where the accused, Wasim Kudoos (33), was described by the State as a dangerous “marksman”. The court noted strong evidence, including ballistic reports, video analysis and witness statements, pointing to a prima facie case.
In another incident, two men were shot dead in an apparent execution-style attack near the Hare Krishna robots, with both victims found inside a tow truck and declared dead at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
In Crossmoor, a 60-year-old man was fatally shot during an alleged armed robbery while seated in his vehicle. Just days later, another victim, identified as Tashir Thaku, was shot in the abdomen in what is believed to have been a targeted attack or hijacking attempt.
Beyond Chatsworth, similar violence has been reported in nearby areas, including Wentworth, where a man was shot in the head in an alleged gang-related hit. In a separate and particularly brutal incident, four people were gunned down in Welbedacht in what is believed to have been an act of vengeance.
This week, the family of the late 23-year-old Dalen Gounden say they feel failed by the justice system after the case against the accused was provisionally withdrawn at the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court — six months after the young man was gunned down by his friend.
Dalen was fatally shot on 26 September 2025 along the R102 in Amanzimtoti, in an incident that shocked the community and sparked widespread calls for justice.
In most instances, suspects fled the scenes and no immediate arrests were confirmed, with investigations ongoing by the South African Police Service. The frequency and nature of these incidents have heightened fears that the violence may be coordinated rather than isolated.
Brandon Pillay, chairperson of the Bayview Community Policing Forum, said there is a strong belief that the violence is planned.
“We are concerned and almost confident that these are planned targets, and that is alarming,” Pillay said.
He stressed that the situation requires a more focused and strategic response from law enforcement.
“Police need to bring in a specialised team. It requires more than what meets the eye. Not that police aren’t capable, however there needs to be a team designated for these shootings that will go into the area.”
Crime expert Chad Thomas said the trend seen locally reflects a broader national pattern.
“There has definitely been an increase in targeted killings across the country,” he said.
“We are seeing a marked increase in what we term murder-for-hire where hitmen are hired for an array of reasons. Some of these reasons are for insurance purposes such as life policies, other reasons include settling business disputes, taking out competition and turf wars. We have also seen an increase in murder-for-hire targeting whistleblowers, investigators, witnesses, lawyers and prosecutors.”
“The fact that it is so easy to hire hitmen and that people are prepared to settle disputes with bullets is unsettling and a sad indictment of where we find ourselves as a society.”
In previous years, the Democratic Alliance highlighted the role of drugs in fuelling violent crime, linking the illicit trade to high murder rates in the area. The party also alleged that drug lords were operating freely, with some cases failing to result in convictions due to alleged links within the South African Police Service.
However, police say they are unable to provide updated crime statistics at this stage.Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda explained to Merebank and Chatsworth Tabloid:
“The Minister of Police has not yet released the fourth quarter crime statistics, and as such, police in the province are not at liberty to release any figures.”
He added that police remain available to respond to questions relating to specific incidents.
