A 42-year-old man was found gunned down next to a park in Watsonia Park, Kraaifontein, on Monday morning.

Passers-by stumbled on the lifeless body near Watsonia Primary School, in Buiten Crescent, Scottsdene, at about 06:38. Police have opened a murder docket.

“Kraaifontein police registered a murder case for investigation. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to his body and was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg.

Residents flooded social media to vent their fury at the relentless violence in the area.

“Another person killed. The soil of the earth is full of blood. Help us, a dog gets treated better. Cases aren’t even being investigated,” said Mercia Booysen.

Others said the killing is becoming the norm in Kraaifontein. “Kraaifontein is really bad now, every day another killing,” said one resident.

ALSO READ: Kraaifontein still among SA’s worst crime hotspots

Judean Arnolds called for safety and security at the park, saying someone who didn’t bother anyone had been killed. Charmaine Liang said she does not feel safe anywhere any more, while Anna Bosman asked: “Where will it all end?”

Murder Mecca

Kraaifontein counted 43 murders in just three months, cementing its place among South Africa’s most violent precincts at 11th nationally.

ALSO READ: Kraaifontein named second most dangerous place in South Africa

The station recorded 1 491 community-reported serious crimes between April and June this year, up 0,9% from 1 477 in the same period last year, placing it 13th nationally, according to the latest crime statistics released by the police ministry last month.

Kraaifontein ranked eighth for violent crime, with 769 cases — a marginal 0,5% drop from 773 last year.