• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home South Africa

Westbury residents call for military deployment following surge in gang violence

28 June 2020, 5:32 PM  |
Maageketla Mohlabe Maageketla Mohlabe |  @SABCNews
Three people were shot and killed in Westbury in renewed gang violence this past week.

Three people were shot and killed in Westbury in renewed gang violence this past week.

Image: Reuters

Three people were shot and killed in Westbury in renewed gang violence this past week.

Westbury residents in Johannesburg have called for the deployment of the military after three people were shot and killed in the area in renewed gang violence this past week. The residents fear for the safety of their children.

In the latest incident, 32-year-old Kirsten May, a popular barber in the area, was shot and killed while on his way home with a friend.

In the video below, Westbury sees a resurfacing of deadly gang violence:

 

Lucien Nabier, who was with May when he was killed, says they tried to run away, but unfortunately May was shot.

“Standing here makes me very sad. It breaks my heart. Me and my friend, we were on our way home and these people just shot at us. As we looked back, we were trying to run, but as we ran, they shot again and I never knew my friend was shot. They shot me through the leg, when I ran. They were after me and he was still lying down.”

30-year-old Nabier says he outran the gang but his friend May was not as fast.

“They came back; they shot him through his head. He was a great guy, a phenomenal man. He wasn’t a fighting type, and he would tell us right from wrong. I think it’s God’s grace that I am still here, but it’s sad to see that my friend is gone.”

For May’s family, tragedy has struck twice.

“18 years ago, I lost one of my sons in the same manner. It was even worse as they stabbed him multiple times and they murdered him. All the community here is crying for their children. It’s so sore. It’s very very sore. I am not going to see my son anymore. He was my baby son. He’d come here he’d make jokes with me,” May’s mother Manchel Steyn said.

Community members just want peace in the area.

“We normally say charity begins at home, I strongly believe in that. Take it back, school your son, sort them out, because nobody else can do it for us,” one resident said.

“The kids are growing up here and the gang-related violence has been going on for so long,” another resident said.

Community leader Shahiem Ismail wants government to deploy the military in the area.

“It cannot continue like this, not a day after today. It must stop and the government, if needs be, must send the entire SANDF. Our biggest crisis Sophiatown Police Station is closed due to the COVID-19. So, we need additional deployments 24 hours.”

No arrests have been made in connection with May’s murder.

In the video below, the SABC looks at the resurgence of gang violence in Westbury. 

– Additional reporting by Thabile Mbhele. 

Share article
Tags: Gang violenceWestbury
Previous Post

World Athletics partners with parkrun to improve global health

Next Post

Santaco warns to bring the country to a standstill if taxis are impounded, vows to load at 100% capacity

Related Posts

[File Image] View of the table mountain in Cape Town.

Cape Town on a R120 billion investment drive to improve the city

3 February 2023, 5:10 PM
A gavel and a block is pictured on the judge's bench in this illustration picture.

Louis Pepping sentenced to life imprisonment

3 February 2023, 3:37 PM
(File Image) A patient in the intensive care unit.

 Some of Manamela’s Life Esidimeni evidence could be rejected

3 February 2023, 1:33 PM
[File Image] : The driver was arrested on Wednesday.

Bus driver who assaulted a learner facing assault, attempted murder charges

3 February 2023, 1:05 PM
[File Image] Judge's Gavel on a brown background.

Sentencing in Dimakatso Folotsi attempted murder case set for April

3 February 2023, 11:18 AM
[File Image]  Running tap water.

Improvement in Joburg water systems

3 February 2023, 10:30 AM
Next Post
190 000 taxis nationwide were not operational during the lockdown.

Santaco warns to bring the country to a standstill if taxis are impounded, vows to load at 100% capacity

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • Gas leak shut, isolated in Pretoria North
  • King of Bacardi music ‘Vusi Ma R5’ killed in Soshanguve
  • Committee wants to halt planned demolition of North West hospital
  • Bapedi kingdom commemorates Kgosi Mampuru II, still hoping to find his remains
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • DA wins cadre deployment case against ANC
  • ‘Country in a crisis because Ramaphosa does not have courage to confront opponents’
  • Helping Zimbabwean permit holders not a political ploy: Ambassador
  • ANC to appeal cadre deployment ruling
  • Three nabbed for possession of crayfish worth millions

LATEST

PSL will observe a moment of silence in honour of the late PSL assistant referee Moeketsi Molelekoa.
  • Sport

Late referee Moeketsi Molelekoa a great loss to football community: SAFA


Chelsea's Thiago Silva heads at goal during a match against Tottenham Hotspur.
  • Politics

Proposed Tottenham Hotspur deal is unjustifiable: Presidency


The dollar was last up 0.55% on the day against a basket of currencies at 102.35.
  • Business

Dollar jumps as employers add more jobs than expected in January


Bottle of water
  • Sci-tech

Heatwave-hit Northern Cape sees an increase in heat-related incidents


[File image] Soccer ball on a corner flag.
  • Sport
  • Soccer

Pirates, Sundowns clash headline weekend PSL fixtures


Spanish-born French fashion designer Paco Rabanne seen in his Paris workshop.
  • Lifestyle

Fashion designer Paco Rabanne dies aged 88


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Athletics World Athletics partners with parkrun to improve global health
Next Santaco warns to bring the country to a standstill if taxis are impounded, vows to load at 100% capacity