Residents of the railway houses in Welverdiend are living in a state of constant fear following a string of violent attacks by armed gangs.

“They told her they will come back and rob us house by house,” one terrified resident said. The community is now pleading for help, claiming they are being targeted by armed thugs, believed to be foreign nationals from the nearby Blyvoor area.

The latest incident erupted on January 31 at 22:30. A family was relaxing outside their home when they were ambushed by at least 10 men armed with guns.

The thugs, who spoke Sesotho, pointed their firearms at the family and forced them into the house. They demanded money and grabbed the wallet of the father (51). They then continued to search the house and grabbed a laptop, cellphones, and clothing.

As some family members tried to flee, the gunmen opened fire. The 51-year-old father managed to reach a nearby tavern to call for help, but he returned to find his 24-year-old son had been shot in the head. Neighbours say they have been plagued by these criminals since December, with at least three other violent clashes reported in recent weeks. The thugs reportedly arrive in a vehicle from the side of the main road through Welverdiend to Potchefstroom, which is only separated from the railway houses by a veld. They then either attack the residents or try to steal cables from the adjacent municipal electrical substation.

“They usually come at around 21:00 and carry big guns. Even our kids cannot sleep or study anymore because they are too scared,” one of the residents laments.

The residents say that they are now even considering sleeping outside at night, so that the attackers can enter their houses and steal without the possibility of confronting them.

The Carletonville Detectives are investigating murder and house robbery cases following the past weekend’s attack.

Anyone who thinks they have any information about the attackers that can help the police must contact Captain Jacques Nagel at 082 880 4611.