Kraaifontein ward councillor narrowly escapes robbery during stormy weather
Councillor Siyabonga Duka.
Image: File
Thieves in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, attempted to rob the ward councillor during his routine check-ups on Monday amid stormy weather.
This comes after a foreign national shop owner was shot dead inside his shop in Phase 8, in Wallacedene, over the weekend.
According to reports, unknown gunmen entered the shop and opened fire on the victim, who was declared deceased on the scene.
It is believed that the shooting might be linked to extortion, as gangs in the area are targeting shop owners for protection fees.
Ward councillor Siyabonga Duka said that he is not sure about the details surrounding the shooting but said that safety and security are big issues in the area.
Duka explained: “I don't know the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting incident, but what I heard is that a Somalian spaza shop owner was shot dead. I have heard that shop owners need to pay protection fees, which worries me because crime is getting out of hand.
“Due to the bad weather on Monday, I was in Phase One, when these boys tried to rob me. They approached me and wanted to rob me, but luckily, I saw two guys in a taxi who I knew, and they stopped them.
“It is difficult to stop them. If they wanted to rob me, who is a councillor, what about a normal person? Safety and security in our area are very weak; it is a big problem.”
Chairperson for the Kraaifontein Community Police Forum, Mawethu Sila, said he is aware of the shooting but cannot confirm if it is linked to extortion.
Sila said: “We cannot confirm if the shooting is linked to extortion because we are based on facts as a CPF and dependent on police information and the community, but on the ground, extortion is a big issue.
“It is rough in the area, so anything is possible. We encourage the community to contact SAPS with any information that will help the police with their investigation.
“We are having our monthly meeting on Tuesday to discuss the crime that happened and try to get a resolution.”