People have been killed in the streets of Alexandra, Joburg with no trace of the suspects involved in the gruesome crimes.
Three people have been shot and killed in Extension 8, East Bank on Friday, 11 August.
One of the three who was killed was identified as a patroller, while the others were community members.
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Bheki Kubheka (35), one of the victims, was killed alongside his friend while coming from a tavern.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said it was reported that local community patrollers were busy with their briefing when a group of men approached and started shooting at them.
“One patroller died on the scene and two other victims who were coming from a nearby tavern were also fatally shot, while three other patrollers were taken to a local clinic with gunshot wounds,” she said.
She said police in Alexandra are investigating three counts of murder and attempted murder following the shooting.
Bheki's relative Thembi Kubheka, questioned how one could have the guts to kill innocent people who haven't done anything wrong.
"My brother was shot with four bullets and his friend with one bullet. I don’t know what war is brewing or what is going on in Alex. This thing is heartbreaking because innocent people are dying and we are left to watch those close to us die like this, for nothing. It's painful," she said.
Thembi said it was still unclear as to what happened but she hoped someone with information on the matter would come forward and share it.
Speaking on the spate of killings in the area, Albert Raphadu said the community has since been left shattered as the ones who are there to protect them continue to drop on the ground in the hands of criminals.
"The community is reeling. This was a community leader and an activist who stood up and decided to fight for the community. We are still in shock by what has happened," he said.
Raphadu noted that these actions are coming from criminals who fear that the community is standing up for themselves.
"Criminals are being pushed to the corner because they are everywhere and have no place to operate. They are feeling the pinch of the patrollers programme and are retaliating. They are declaring war against patrollers," he said.
Although the community may have actively taken a stand against crime, Raphadu said they still need an extra hand from law enforcements to hold these criminals accountable and convict them, instead of letting them free on the street to continue terrorising the community.
