The Maitland Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (MRRA) has called for an end to the senseless killings and “lack of care shown towards people”.
This comes after a 35-year-old male was shot and killed outside a mosque on the corner of Patton and Coronation roads on Friday 16 January.
Capt FC van Wyk, provincial police spokesperson, said Maitland police registered a murder case.
“Members attended to a complaint of shooting incident and on their arrival found the victim lying with a gunshot wound to the head at the driver’s-side door of a silver VW Polo. Circumstances surrounding this shooting incident are under investigation.”
Ward 56, which includes Kensington, Factreton and Maitland, has been plagued by gang-related shootings and murders particularly since late last year.
Faiek Fredericks, chair of MRRA, said such violence has been traumatic for residents, who were fed-up with it all.
“That man went to the house of the Lord to pray. He came out with three kids and was brutally killed in front of them. We are extremely upset at the lack of care shown towards people.”
Fredericks said such heinous acts cannot be tolerated.
“It is becoming the norm for people to be shot… and this cannot be the case. It shouldn’t be normal for kids to grow up thinking this is part of life. Tomorrow they grow up and walk around with guns because it’s normal. The rule of law must apply.”
Cheslyn Steenberg, Ward 56 councillor, condemned the incident and said places of worship should always be spaces of peace, safety, and unity.
“I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the shooting that took place… My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the deceased, the congregation and the broader Maitland community at this difficult time… Any act of violence in such a space is completely unacceptable.”
He appealed to residents to work with law enforcement agencies.
“I call on residents to remain calm and united, and to work together with law enforcement as they carry out their duties. Violence has no place in our communities, and we must continue to stand together against all forms of crime.”
Meanwhile Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape Minister for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais will be meeting with the National Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia within the next three weeks to discuss urgent policing needs in the province.
Anyone with information is requested to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sgt Melvyn Matthews, on 079 894 0092 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or they use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
