Wesbank residents demand more police presence as gang violence and extortion escalate
Police officers and forensics at the scene following a double murder in Wesbank.
Image: File Picture: Henk Kruger
The community of Wesbank is calling for police backup after a double murder rocked the area on Sunday.
This follows after two males were shot on Sunday, October 19 in Galvandale Street around 3.45pm.
Wesbank Community Policing Forum (CPF) spokesperson Mvano Magula said the incident is related to gang extortion and that the community is concerned.
“The plans that were put in place are that we need more police visibility in Wesbank and we cannot wait for the mobile police station that was promised to the area and is due to arrive in December, Magula said.
“There is a lot happening in Wesbank and we seek help, be it from governmental interference or spiritual interference. As things stand, Mfuleni police station is rated as the second-worst crime reported police station in the province.”
He added that despite this statistic, the station still lacks the necessary resources.
Magula said: “We appreciate how the City tries to lower the crime in our areas with the little resources that they have. But I believe that five metro officers are not enough to deal with the current situation."
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation by detectives from Mfuleni police station.
“ Police members were called to the crime scene where they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies.
“Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is believed to be gang related, Twigg said.”
He added that the suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. Cops are investigating a case of two counts of murder.
Anyone with any information about this shooting incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.