Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia is set to visit Reiger Park this afternoon, following last week’s deadly mass shootings, which are said to be linked to gang violence that is driven by the drug trade in the township.

Six people died and three others were wounded in the brutal drive-by shooting, which left the streets soaked in blood on November 1. Among the victims were parents who rushed out to protect their children when gunfire broke out – only to find themselves caught in the battle.
Cachalia will be joined by deputy ministers Dr Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathal, as well as national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola.

They will meet with SAPS management to receive a briefing on the challenges and progress made in the fight against drugs and gang-related crimes in the area, as well as across the province.
The briefing will be followed by a stakeholder engagement session involving leaders of communities that have been affected by gang violence in the province.

During his visit last week, Masemola said he had deployed specialised teams to hunt down the gunmen behind the killings.

On the other hand, people living near the scene of the mass shooting have told the Boksburg Advertiser that they are terrified by the criminality surrounding them, with reports of drug gangs using violence and intimidation to operate their drug business.
They lamented the lack of police resources to deal with the ‘endless’ battle between gangs, leaving innocent people in the area living in fear.

Community leaders stated that tackling drug supply and criminal exploitation is fundamental to the police’s mission to end gun violence.
Many people were killed in previous separate incidents, but their families are still waiting for answers from the police about their investigations.

Our team of journalists is on the ground to provide regular updates on the story.

Also Read: Tears, faith, and unity as Reiger Park remembers shooting victims