For Freedom Park residents the past festive season was one which saw an increase in armed robberies and the callous taking of lives by those living on the fringes of our society. According to residents, the December holiday brought nothing but doom and gloom to the community.
Noted community leader Thabiso Rakomane confirmed that the area experienced a spate of robberies in which six innocent people were killed. Rakomane said that taverns and foreign-owned spaza shops in the area were the targets this time around.
He said, “Instead of celebrating and enjoying the festive season, several families had to bury and mourn their relatives because of other people’s greed.”
Rakomane said that two people were shot and killed and two others wounded during an armed robbery at a local tavern, Thandanani Inn on December 30. Sibongile Matume, an eyewitness during the robbery, said that the crime was committed at about 9.30 pm.
A shaken Matume said, “We were sitting in the tavern, having a good time when an armed man entered, wielding a firearm. He appeared angry and immediately told everyone to get down on the floor. While he told us to get down, he started shooting at the ceiling.
“He shot at the overhead light and that’s when everything went dark. Afterwards, he climbed over the counter and started shooting at everyone that was in his way. He killed my friend right next to me, he shot her in the head and she died in front of all of us.”
Simone Sithole, who also witnessed the horrific murder said that the man went to the back of the tavern and started demanding money from the owner.
“That is when three more men entered the tavern. One of the robbers shot and killed a man in front of everyone. We were so scared, we didn’t think we would see another day,” she said.
The tavern owner confirmed that R 30 000 in cash was taken by the robbers and that all the patrons’ cellphones and belongings were taken from them.
“Once they got what they wanted they ran off into the bushes,” he said.
Rakomane said that a similar incident took place at another tavern on Christmas Day in which the owner, Nkosinathi Leonard Nkosi was shot and killed. The deceased Nkosi’s son, Zakile said that it was a day he would never forget.
“Everything happened so fast, having to bury my father during what was supposed to be a happy time was not easy,” he said.
Rakomane confirmed that several foreign-owned shops were targeted during this period which is an indication that small business owners, who often handle large sums of cash, were in the robbers’ cross-hairs.
The South African Police Service spokesperson, lieutenant Kay Makhubele said five men have been arrested in connection with the robbery on December 30.
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