By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The community of Alexandra is experiencing a sombre atmosphere as residents mourn the patrollers who were shot dead in a short space of time last week.
The residents have vowed to fight criminals and will do whatever it takes to secure their territory from dangerous thugs.
A joint memorial service was held yesterday for the four residents who were shot dead. Ward 105 had three slain residents and ward 91 had one.
The services were attended by many residents. Altrek Sports Ground Hall. And a candle light service was held at a crime scene to honor three members who were shot in Ext. 8.
On Thursday night, two patrollers, a woman, and a man, were shot. The male patroller died on the scene, while the woman was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds and later succumbed to her injuries.
On Friday night, unknown gunmen opened fire at five patrollers, killing one of them. In another instance after that, the killers walked down Martin Mabitsela Street in Ext 8 and mistook two young men for patrollers. They shot and killed both of them.
Also on Friday night, another man was shot and rushed to a local clinic along Roosevelt and Fourth Avenue, opposite Madala Hostel.
While the man was being robbed of his personal belongings, several shots were fired in the air.
The four suspects jumped into a silver grey VW Polo without number plates and drove off, leaving a bloodied man on the floor. A taxi operator took him to the nearby Masakhane Clinic.
Vincent Ndima, an Alexandra community leader, told Scrolla.Africa that after the incident, angry community members joined Alexandra police, JMPD Special Unit, private security, and street patrollers to hunt for the killers.
“Although we didn’t find them, we won’t rest until we find the killers,” said Ndima.
The criminals were said to have run to Stjwetla informal settlement. This is the same area where five suspected criminals were beaten and burnt to death last month.
A patroller who asked not to be named said the township needed intervention from the authorities to stop the killings and hijackings.
In May this year, five patrollers were shot and two died in Stjwetla. In June last year, Alexandra saw a wave of mass killings where six people including Alex FM DJ Joshua Mbatha, were killed. Police arrested 12 men in connection to the killings.
The 2022 killings compelled Minister of Police Bheki Cele and Gauteng senior government officials to hold a crime imbizo at the Alexandra stadium where plans to combat crime were spoken about.
The police in Alexandra are investigating three counts of murder and attempted murder following a shootout at Ext 08 Eastbank on the evening of 11 August 2023.
“It is reported that, local community patrollers were busy with their briefing when a group of men approached and started shooting at them.
“One patroller died on the scene and two other victims who were coming from a nearby tavern were also fatally shot while three other patrollers taken to a local clinic with gunshot wounds.
“Anyone who may have information or witnessed this incident is requested to report at their nearest police station or contact the the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111,” said Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi .
These are some of the names of the patrollers killed since the beginning of this year: Elias Thema, Thulani Zuma, Mbhekiseni Kubheka, Dingaani Ncala, Bongani Nhlapo, Doctor Nkuna, Rodney Mathonsi, Eric Seweya, Mapula Machethe, amongst others:
