The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating a case of three people gunned down during a shootout between officers and criminals in Zwelitsha, Nyanga on Wednesday 4 February.
IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the shooting incident occurred at the corner of Zwelitsha Drive and 4th Avenue in Nyanga. “It is alleged that three suspects were shot and killed during a shootout involving officers. It is alleged that the deceased were linked to a protection-fee gang. The suspects allegedly shot at the officers who then returned fire.” He added the incident was reported to IPID and it was under investigation.
However, a community leader who refused to be named for fear of reprisals said there were three people gunned down and two officers were injured. “According to the report I received there were three men robbing people at Sithandathu Avenue and they went to the Somali owned shop (in Zwelitsha Drive) and demanded money. When they (criminals) came out they met the members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU), who were driving an unmarked vehicle, and the criminals shot the vehicle and the officers returned the fire.” He said he wasn’t sure whether the criminals got money from the shop owners.
The leader said the criminals went toe to toe with the officers. “It was like a movie! They were exchanging fire.”
He said he wished the government could deploy more special-force officers. “Crime is rife in Nyanga. Sometimes I feel as if our local officers are unable to curb it, not because they don’t have the capacity, but because there are limited resources.”
