WHAT was once a "classy African city" has now become ungovernable.
These were the words of City of Joburg Speaker Colleen Makhubele, who was reacting to the recent shooting outside the Randburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 8 November.
This after a couple was shot while walking towards the court. The two were allegedly targeted by a black Mercedes-Benz that opened fire.
The woman who was shot was a witness in a trial against four police officers charged with assault. The case dates back to 2018.
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Makhubele said: "Not only is it scary that this transpired near an institution set to protect our people and also enforce order and authority, it is more chilling to the spine the idea of what we wish to tell the world and our investors about who we are as people. If we as people of government aren’t concerned about the dilapidating state of our social order, we have a problem."
She has since expressed her concern over the spike of killings in the city, which has now placed the lives of witnesses at risk.
"It is essential to note the plague of murders that continue to haunt what was once an 'A-Class African City'. It has now become an ungovernable city where anyone with a weapon can use it to end a life," said Makhubele.
The rate of killings among women and children remain high. This is according to the latest crime statistics from the South African Police Service.
Murders of women increased by 4,7% from 855 in the first quarter of 2022/23 to 895 in the first quarter of 2023/24, while the murders of children saw a substantial 20,6% increase from 243 to 295 in the same period.
As she sent out condolences to the families and friends affected by the Randburg court shooting, Makhubele urged residents to not only revert to the spirit of ubuntu but to be guided by empathy in everything they find themselves engaging in.
