Police concerned over recent murders in eMbalenhle

eMBALENHLE – Locals blame the recent killings in eMbalenhle to alleged gangs that are terrorising the area.They allege these gangs consist of youths between 16 and 30 years old who often commit various crimes at night.

Residents shared these sentiments after the weekend of 25 August when multiple deaths were reported.

According to the police eight people were killed in mostly taverns between Saturday and Sunday morning.

It is alleged that a group of men armed with pangas and other weapons entered the premises, opened fire and fled the scenes.

Const Busi Mthethwa, police spokesman, said: “Police were summoned and they discovered that one of the victims was already dead, while four others were rushed to hospital.

“Later that day, two also died while the other two remain in a critical condition.

“No one has been arrested yet.”

In a separate incident at a liquor outlet next to the Mall@eMba, police were summoned to a scene where they found a 23-year-old man lying face down on the ground with multiple stab wounds to the body.

It is alleged that the victim was walking with his friend when they were approached by a group of men who started a fight with them, resulting in the suspect being fatally stabbed.

Police launched a manhunt and six suspects aged between 17 and 24 were apprehended.

They are expected to appear in court soon on murder charges.

Four other victims were fatally stabbed in other separate incidents in eMbalenhle.

Gen Zuma, provincial commissioner, vowed the police will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are brought to book and requested the community to volunteer information that may assist police in their investigation.

Speaking to the newspaper, residents said they are willing to work with the police.

“I don’t think it should be difficult to find the suspects and if the CPF was still active, the suspects would have been in custody by now.

“It is not safe to live in eMbalenhle. We must unite as locals and fight crime in the area.

“Police must work hand in hand with the community, that’s the only way that the killers would be apprehended,” said a resident.