Residents threaten to shut-down Wentworth police station if another innocent life is taken away.
The Wentworth community came together in their numbers on Sunday, 5 February, and gathered outside the police station where the station commander, Colonel Sinayo Mtshali, addressed the memorandum which was handed over regarding the constant violence and shootings in the area.
The memorandum was handed over about three weeks ago by Celeste King, chairperson of eThekwini South Youth in Business, but the community claims that the matter was not addressed properly and are now demanding that the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, addresses the shootings and issues of alleged corruption regarding officers at the station.
Members of the community – who were furious as they felt like their concerns were falling on deaf ears – vowed to shut down the police station if another shooting occurred in the area. The residents are alleging that there are corrupt officials who were meant to gather evidence but instead destroyed evidence and their cases are left unsolved.
Residents want police officials to attend crime scenes when they hear shootings and to assist in blocking off entrances and exits to the area so that suspects are swiftly caught. They also claim that when shootings occur, police officials are nowhere to be seen, yet at funerals they come in their numbers.
Residents of the area, which is known for gang violence and turf wars, continue to live in fear after a bystander was killed in a drive-by shooting while five others sustained gunshot wounds. The victim was identified as Mazwi Magenu, a 24-year-old chef from Wentworth, and was described as a polite, caring and loving individual who was passionate about his career as a chef.
In a separate incident, the next day, a body was discovered with a number of spent cartridges at the scene.
Captain Mbuso Gumede, communications officer for SAPS Wentworth, said that unknown suspects fired shots at a group of people at the corner of Tuin and Woodville roads in Wentworth at about 21h00 on Wednesday, 1 February.
Capt Gumede said: “It is alleged that five coloured men and one African man were seated outside a tuck-shop container when an unknown motor vehicle with occupants drove near them, fired several shots towards the victims and sped off. All victims were rushed to Wentworth Hospital in private vehicles. An African man died on arrival.
“The other victims were shot on different parts of their body. Other victims are still in stable conditions while one is still in a critical condition. The motive for the shooting is unknown at present. Empty spent cartridges were found at the scene of shooting. A case docket of murder and attempted murder has been opened and detectives in SAPS Wentworth are investigating the matter.”
Meanwhile, at about 06h00 on Thursday, 2 February, the Wentworth police station was informed that along Lansdowne Road, near the bridge in Jacobs, a dead body was seen lying there.
Capt Gumede said: “Upon arrival, police observed an unknown man about 30 years old, presumably dead, on the scene. The officers from SAPS Wentworth Vispol who attended then summoned an ambulance and personnel who certified the unknown male deceased. A number of spent cartridges were confiscated by the officers on scene. Detectives attended the scene and a murder case is under investigation. The suspects are still unknown.”
Residents of Wentworth planned to take to the streets and conduct a march from Adams Park to Wentworth police station on Saturday, 4 February, however it was postponed due to Thaipoosam Kavady processions and police personnel performing duties there.
A post was released on the Wentworth South Africa Represent Facebook page, informing residents of the postponement.
The post which was shared by Ryan Shaw read: “I have been in talks with the captain from Metro Police and he has informed me that due to Kavady, police throughout Durban will not be able to assist. He also informed me that due to Wentworth being a high-risk area, he cannot send just one unit. He has asked me to re-arrange the date where he can assist in sending multiple officers to assist.
“We were expecting a huge number of members in the march and it would be very risky for us to march without observing these protocols.”
Residents who are afraid to be named for the safety of themselves and their children said that the area is a warzone with daily shootings.
One resident said: “We fear for our lives as well as our children’s lives. As children, they want to go out and play with their friends but unfortunately we do not have that luxury in our community. We are forced to keep them indoors. We tell them, when they hear gunshots, they should lay flat down to safeguard themselves. We are afraid and will never know who is the next target or which innocent bystander will be killed next.”
Another resident said that a children’s football game had to be stopped a few weeks ago when parents and children heard gunfire nearby. “All we could do was grab our children and run to safety because anything could have happened to them if a stray bullet hit them. Not a day goes by where we are in peace as a community,” he said.
Detectives are appealing to anyone who may assist in both these incidents of murder and attempted murder to report to Crime Stop on 08600-10111, call 10111 or phone SAPS Wentworth on 031-451-6240 / 6242.
