2 suspects arrested: MEC outraged by gangsterism in Westbury
' I am confident that the police will present a water tight case against the two arrested suspects to ensure that they receive the harshest possible sentence. This will send a strong message that we are prepared to deal decisively with criminals in Gauteng Province.'
The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, has expressed concern about the safety of communities in Gauteng following incidents of alleged gangsterism which led to the killing of a woman in Westbury.
The incident took place on Thursday afternoon near Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. The deceased woman’s child sustained injuries in the process. Two suspects linked to the incident have been arrested. The incident comes in the wake of the death of a boy who was killed two months ago in front of a school in the area.
The MEC earlier this month visited the Sophiatown policing precinct on a safety outreach programme aimed at addressing amongst other things bullying incidents, gangsterism and the scourge of drugs.
“I am worried about the incidents of gangsterism that continue to rear its ugly head and the killing of innocent citizens. What is more disturbing is the fact that the latest incident happened in the backdrop of a campaign and engagement session with the residents of Sophiatown Policing Precinct, of which Westbury is part of, on safety issues affecting them. Such incidents cannot go unabated as they threaten the safety of our communities and leave our people with long term devastating effects of trauma as they have to witness them.
As Gauteng Provincial Government, we will not be deterred in our quest to eradicate this scourge and we will not allow ourselves to be held to ransom by these senseless and barbaric criminals.
We are going to deploy policing resources in the area to tackle this scourge head on and also deal decisively with the local police inefficiency to address outstanding cases related to this matter,” said MEC Nkosi-Malbani.
Yesterday morning, the Westbury community members went on a rampage protesting and barricading all entry and exit points.
“I would like to appeal to community members to remain calm, resist the temptation to take law into their hands and allow the Law Enforcement Agencies to work on the case.
I am confident that the police will present a water tight case against the two arrested suspects to ensure that they receive the harshest possible sentence. This will send a strong message that we are prepared to deal decisively with criminals in Gauteng Province,” said Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane.
