Residents fear alleged drug boss’ death may incite violence in Wentworth

AN alleged female drug lord was murdered last week and her death has sparked concerns in the community, leading many to believe there will be an increase in violent attacks. 

Simone “Moni” Jasmin was shot just after she got into a vehicle, believed to be an Uber, on the corner of Marine Drive and Blackpool Road on Wednesday, 28 October.

KZN SAPS spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed that Brighton Beach SAPS is investigating the murder of the 35-year-old woman who was shot by unknown suspects.

Community members came out in their numbers to attend her funeral on Tuesday, 3 November at the St. Franics Xavier Catholic Parish.

Jasmin’s death sent mixed feelings and shock waves throughout the community of Wentworth as it is believed she ran one the most ruthless drug gangs in the city. She was arrested in September along with some of her alleged gang members on charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She was shortly released on bail.

Speaking to the media at the funeral, Jasmin’s brother, Troy, insisted that his sister was not involved in crime. “My sister had a heart of gold. What’s being published in the media is not true. She wasn’t involved in any murders and she’s never been convicted of anything. I don’t understand why people are talking a whole lot of nonsense. We’re suffering here. My sister had a good heart and she helped a lot of people. She wasn’t a bad person,” he said.

Jasmin was both loved and feared by many in her community. A community member, who spoke to the SUN on condition of anonymity, shared that she used to attend Sunday school with Jasmin while growing up. “We went to Interfellowship Global Ministries with her and her sisters. We used to enjoy Sunday school. We would often fight and get along as young girls do. 

“She dated a boy for many years who she later broke up with because he got hooked on drugs. After that she started dating local boys who were known to sell drugs on Burgers Road. I think that it was from dating these boys that she started seeing how they made money. She came to be known as the ‘Queen of the South’. She also did a lot of parties at the Barracks where she and her friends used to hang out. She also threw parties for the children in the community. She dressed well and loved gold jewellery. She was always nice to the people who knew her.

“I know she had issues with some of the other older women in the Barracks who did not like her hanging out there with her crew.  She really lived up to her nickname of Queen of the South which comes from the TV show of a Mexican woman who becomes wealthy by building a drug empire,” she said, adding that Jasmin’s death was both sad and a relief.”

Although Wentworth may have lost one of its alleged notorious drug lords, some community members fear that Jasmin’s murder could lead to more violence. Commenting on the concerning level of violence in the community, Wentworth

Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson and local pastor Donovan Anderson said: “Our problem at moment is the lack of police. Law enforcement is understaffed in Wentworth and it’s getting out of control now with the random shootings. Innocent bystanders are getting hurt and too many young people are dying, leaving grieving parents behind. It’s not right. This has to stop and the community needs to take a stand now. We need old system of foot patrols back and constant surveillance of hotspots.”    

WATCH: Residents fear alleged drug boss’ death may incite violence in Wentworth

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. For any comments or queries, contact the National Group Editor, Irma Green at irma@caxton.co.za or the Legal Adviser, Helene Eloff at  helene@caxton.co.za.

DID YOU KNOW? Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 876 3179 The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.