Despite there being no new reports of murder in Humansdorp, the residents continue to live in fear after six people died, five of whom were teenagers, between July 16 and 19.
According to Jaques Alexander, Humansdorp Senior Secondary School governing body chairperson, after the recent murders – one of which was Colin-Lee Titus (17), a learner at HSS – schools throughout the area shut their doors on July 20 and 21 as a safety precaution.
He said that after a discussion with the Department of Education the schools were closed, with HSS remaining closed on Monday, July 24.
Alexander further said that the closure was not due to any violence at the schools; instead it was a preventative measure to keep the learners safe.
“We closed the schools because we were concerned about the learners’ safety, and with the ongoing gang violence we did not want them to be caught in the crossfire while walking to school,” said Alexander.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, from July 16 to 19 they received reports of six people killed in KwaNomzamo, Donkerhoek, Sewende Laan, Maak ’n Las, Gill Marcus, and Arcadia.
On July 16, she said that a neighbour found the body of Sandile Ncamani (50) lying on the kitchen floor at his house with a stab wound, in Polar Park, in KwaNomzamo. On the same day, in an unrelated incident, Darwin Pietersen (17) was fatally shot in the head and arm, after it was alleged that a group of men approached the victim and his friend in Donkerhoek.
“It is alleged that an argument ensued, and the teenager and his friend were assaulted by four men,” said Naidu.
She said that the friend managed to run away.
Naidu said that on the following day an 18-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound when he was shot in the left shoulder, while walking in Sewende Laan.
She said that on Tuesday, July 18, Titus was murdered at his house in Maak ’n Laas and in an unrelated incident, on the same day, Brownell Brown (25) was fatally wounded while he was standing at the entrance to a shop in Sewende Laan at about 18:00, during loadshedding.
Naidu said that on the following day, on July 19, Juvandre September (17) was fatally wounded, while a 12-year-old sustained a gunshot wound in his thigh.
On the same day, she said that Enrico Schuster (17) from Coetzee Street in Arcadia was chased by a mob of people and was severely beaten, stoned, and stabbed.
Naidu said that he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
She indicated that since July 19 there had been no new reports of murders in the Humansdorp area.
Alexander said that the atmosphere in the Humansdorp area was calm since there were no reports of shooting; however, residents were living in fear and were concerned that “anything could happen to them”.
He said that various stakeholders were currently working on a plan to deal with the surge of crime in the area.
However, Alexander said that he was not able to elaborate on these plans for safety reasons.
In a plea to the community, he said that he wants the residents to speak up and report crime-related issues.
“The residents are fearful that they will be identified if they report crime, but there are various avenues for them to report crime anonymously,” said Alexander.
Naidu said that to report crimes anonymously residents can contact the crime stop number on 08600 10111.
In addition, she said that residents can contact their local police station and request to remain anonymous.
“The information reported will then be shared with the investigating officer, without revealing the identity of the person who reported the crime,” said Naidu.
Provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene, has ordered a multi-disciplinary task team to swiftly trace and arrest those responsible for the murders, and attempted murders, which took place in Humansdorp.
She has further made a clarion call to the communities to work together with police in identifying the perpetrators who have caused mayhem and fear in the community.
“It is very disturbing when young children are both victims and perpetrators of crime,” said Mene.
She further said that the involvement of the community in providing vital information can significantly increase their chances of solving cases and apprehending suspects.
She said that they have put operational interventions in place in the problematic areas, with additional manpower such as the Tactical Response Team, Public Order Policing and the Provincial Organised Crime Anti-Gang Unit.
“Our team of experienced detectives will not rest until these perpetrators are arrested and are behind bars,” said Mene.
“I would also want to warn the communities against mob justice. This form of vigilante behaviour will not be tolerated and those responsible must be identified and arrested.”
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