Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela has refuted allegations that police did not respond swiftly to the deadly New Year’s Day shooting in Melville, Johannesburg.
Mawela says law enforcement officials were out in their numbers on New Year’s Eve and it was an extremely busy night.
[ON AIR] Police condemn Melville Shooting. Lieutenant-general Elias Mawela – @SAPoliceService Commissioner of Gauteng tells you more on #SAfmSunrise with @PhemeloMotene #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/T9azax6ESk
— SAfmRadio ? (@SAfmRadio) January 2, 2020
The Gauteng police boss says investigations are continuing and police are following up on a number of leads regarding the shooting which left two people dead and six others wounded, two critically.
At least two people have died and six others have been injured in what appears to be a drive-by #shooting in #Melville, #Johannesburg on #NewYears morning. Updates to follow. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/fotQVCyJiC
— Jamaine Krige (@jour_maine) January 1, 2020
Witnesses of the #MelvilleShooting say an altercation broke out between #NewYears revellers. The suspected shooter left before returning to the restaurant and opening fire from a vehicle. At least two people have died and six others have been transported to hospital. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/ebe0XIebE7
— Jamaine Krige (@jour_maine) January 1, 2020
One of the wounded is well-known actor, Mortimer Williams.
Police have rubbished reports of a third death in the tragedy.
Mawela says Melville residents and eyewitnesses have been extremely helpful in the investigation.
“Now remember during that time of the night you’ll know that our communications system will be clogged also the network won’t be favourable but I can assure the people we were all over. Including myself I was on duty the whole night so we were around there, the response by the police, it was reasonable because we did have police officers around that particular vicinity all of us we were on duty.”
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