Calls for army deployment rise as gang violence claims two teenagers in Westbury

New calls for army deployment to deal with the crisis of gang violence in Westbury have intensified following a new wave of teen gang-related violence in the community.

The new calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the army follow the fatal shooting of two teenagers aged between 14 and 19, and the injury to five others, who are reported to be recovering at different hospitals in the city of Johannesburg.

According to the Gauteng police, the latest incident in a series of similar incidents in the past has left the community fearing for the lives of their children.

It is alleged that the two teens had been sitting outside when they were attacked by their alleged rivals, who were carrying guns while walking on foot.

“We want the army to come here and restore order because the police have failed to ensure the safety of our children. We are not safe, and our children are not safe because of the gang violence happening in this neighbourhood. Things are really bad, because children are not safe at school, nor are they safe when they come from school,” said a concerned community member, who did not want to be identified for fear of victimisation.

According to the police in the province, the incident which happened at about 1 pm on Tuesday is gang-related and involves four teenagers who opened fire against a group of seven young people, who had been sitting on the verandah of a house situated on Croesus Street when they were approached by three gunmen, who opened fire, resulting in the fatal shooting of two teenagers and an injury to five others.

“The teenagers were approached by four suspects on foot, three carrying firearms. The suspects opened fire at the victims without saying anything and then fled the scene. "The Provincial Anti-Gang Unit is on the scene together with SAPS Forensic Services." "District Crime Intelligence has also been mobilised to assist Anti-Gang Unit with the tracing of the suspects,” said provincial spokesperson, Brenda Muridili, who confirmed that even though the suspects are known to the community, there has yet to be an arrest.

Speaking to members of the media next to the cordoned off crime scene near the house in which these gun-wielding young people opened fire against their alleged rivals, who were said to be sitting on the porch of the house, Deputy police Commissioner for Gauteng police, General Fred Kekana pleaded with the community to work with the police to bring about calm in the community ravaged by gang violence and other social ills.

"The parents of those young people and the community around must help us because this is a joint responsibility. They must say, as the community, we will not allow these things in our environment. It must also start with the street committees so that we protect our streets. No drugs must be sold, and if so, we deal with those people. That on its own will be a deterrent," Kekana said.

Kekana confirmed that the shooting was gang-related, adding that the suspects, even though they are yet to be apprehended, are known.

"The suspects are known to the community, and we know where they live. We are on a manhunt for them...During the incident, the commander of crime prevention and the visible commander of Sophiatown Police Station were only three streets away, with his team conducting routine crime prevention. This area is notorious for drug-related activity and gang turf fights. They reacted immediately,” he stated.

“Gang violence and crime have gone out of control. Where are the police when we need them? They say they were ten minutes away, but they came here and failed to arrest the criminals who have killed our children. The police have no interest in helping us. "This community is gone. There is no hope. No one is safe. There are no opportunities. After matric, people just stay home and sell drugs because they are hungry," said another community member.