Gang strikes fear into community
The SAPS has set up a specialised team to trace the gang that has murdered and robbed people in Mfazazana.
ARMED robbers are currently terrorising the community of Mfazazana, near Hibberdene and surrounding areas.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid confirmed, saying: “Yes, we have had several cases recently where a group of five or six men, armed with handguns, have committed robberies in the Hibberdene area. We suspect that it could also be the same group who shot and killed one person and wounded two others in the space of less than a week.”
* In the most recent incident, on Monday this week a group of men attacked a shop owner as he was locking up his business in Qoloqolo near Hibberdene. They held him at knife-and-gunpoint and struck him on the head several times with the butt of the firearm, demanding cash. They eventually fled, taking a 9mm pistol with live rounds, cellphones, driver’s licence, cash and the owner’s Isuzu KB250 bakkie.
* Last Thursday night, a group of armed men attacked a 29-year-old man who was walking with a friend in Mfazazana. They demanded cash before shooting him in the right hand. His friend was assaulted. The men fled taking R20.
* On the same night, a group of armed men attacked and shot a 24-year-old man in the leg at a tuck shop, also in Mfazazana. They fled with cash.
* On Tuesday evening last week, Hibberdene police responded to another shooting in which two people were shot at a tuck shop in Mfazazana. One man (50) died after being shot twice in the chest; his brother (40) was shot in the leg. Cash and cellphones were stolen.
* On the night of November 13, Hibberdene police responded to a shooting at a store in Nyagwini where they found a man (40) who had been shot in the leg. He was also robbed of cash, and his Nissan 1400 bakkie.
A community member from the area, who did not want to be named, said people were living fear.
“House robberies and car theft are rife in our area. People are getting shot, stabbed and robbed every day. We are desperately in need of help,” he said.
He thanked the SAPS, but added there was some concern about the justice department.
“Often we see police arresting these men and within two days they are released and back robbing people,” he said.
“A specialised team has been tasked to trace the group of suspects and we are also monitoring the area,” said Lt-Col Wiid.
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