Drive-by shootings, stabbings, murders spike in South Durban

Wentworth, KwaZulu-Natal has been labelled an unsafe area following a series of drive-by shootings, stabbings and murders.

We revisited some articles that have made headlines in the past few months this year.

Chamberlain Road

A twenty-nine-year-old man died in Wentworth Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound in an alleged drive-by shooting on Chamberlain Road on Friday, 14 August.

“It is alleged that an occupant from an unknown vehicle fired shots at the deceased’s vehicle and sped off along the road fleeing the scene. The victim, aged 29, died a few minutes after arriving in the hospital due to a gunshot wound sustained. The motive for his shooting is unknown and a case of murder is under investigation,” said Captain Mbuso Gumede of the Wentworth police.

Lansdowne Road

A MAN linked to a number of cases, including a drive-by in Wentworth, was arrested and appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 5 August.

Police officers from the eThekwini District Trio Task Team arrested the 21-year-old man on two counts of attempted murder where a 36-year-old man and a friend were shot and injured on Lansdowne Road on Thursday, 30 July.

“Two male victims were driving in a silver-grey VW Polo along Lansdowne Road, when a VW Golf 5, with an unknown registration number, followed them from behind and flashed their lights. The Golf 5 then suddenly drove parallel to them. Shots were fired from the suspects’ vehicle to the victims’ vehicle at random. Serious bodily injuries were sustained by both the driver and passenger. The suspects then drove off. The victims, a driver aged 31 and a passenger aged 21 managed to drive themselves to Wentworth Hospital for medical assistance,” said Wentworth police spokesperson, Captain Mbuso Gumede.

Hime Street

A 20-year-old man appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 4 August for the murder of a 17-year-old. The suspect was arrested by police officers from the eThekwini District Trio Task Team.

According to police, on Friday, 31 July at 10.20pm, Donell Potgieter, 17, was stabbed in the chest by the accused at a home on Hime Street in Wentworth.

“The suspect fled the scene on foot. The victim was taken to the hospital for medical attention. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. A case of murder was opened at Wentworth police station for investigation. Police officers worked tirelessly to solve the case and apprehend the suspect who was arrested on Sunday, 2 August. He was detained at Wentworth police station where he was charged for murder,” said provincial spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele.

Sussex Place

Detectives from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit and Metro Police conducted an intelligence-driven operation in the Wentworth policing area to combat crime and eliminate the increase of firearms on Sunday night, 21 June.

During the operation, police proceeded to Sussex Place where eight men were spotted and a search was conducted.

“Police found two pistols on the ground close to where the men were standing. The firearms were seized and the men were taken to the Wentworth police station for further investigation. While police were searching the suspects, gunshots were fired at them. The police officers were not injured and they conducted a follow-up operation, however, the shooters could not be located,”  said provincial spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele.

Lansdowne Road

The community of Wentworth has suffered another violent blow, after a young woman, Heidi von Schaffer, was involved in a drive-by shooting in Lansdowne Road, while on her way back home.

The ill-fated incident happened on Monday evening, 3 February and Heidi is said to be in a coma at King Edward VIII Hospital after surviving a gunshot to the head.

Wentworth councillor, Aubrey Snyman said that it is widely suspected by the community that the shooters were searching for someone involved in the local drug ring. “The exchange of shootings started on Sunday and the community is very angry and upset. Heidi was an innocent passer-by who got hit in the cross-fire,” he said.