The Inkatha Freedom Party in Gauteng has expressed its shock over the series of criminal shootings that have taken place over the past two days in Alexandra township, which have left five people dead and eight injured.
This is the latest round of gun violence killings, which, worryingly, seem to have become a growing trend in and around Gauteng townships. This Tuesday, one person was killed in a shooting in Mamelodi. This came soon after news of 15 people being killed in a shooting in Orlando on Sunday morning. Prior to that, it was reported that two people were killed in a separate shooting that took place in Katlehong last Friday.
These senseless killings speak to the extent of violent crime in our society, which has reached a crisis point. Our public and private spaces are becoming increasingly unsafe, with trigger-happy criminals roaming our streets. This level of crime strips citizens of many of their constitutional rights, including the right to safety and security of the person, the right to life, the right to freedom of movement, and more.
No stone must be left unturned in investigating and apprehending the criminals responsible for these shootings. The IFP Gauteng calls on the government to redouble its public efforts on crime prevention and to increase police visibility in our townships and poor communities, where a visible police presence is needed most.
We also appeal to and encourage members of the public who may have any information that could assist the police investigations, to come forward.
Most importantly, the Inkatha Freedom Party in Gauteng conveys its deepest condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives – may their innocent souls rest in perfect peace.
These crimes can only be described as barbaric acts, committed by those amongst us who do not have compassion for humanity. These criminals are thus deserving of the harshest penalty.
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Contact
Bonginkosi Dhlamini, MPL
IFP Gauteng Provincial Chairperson
082 565 3571