Westbury residents claim over 70 people killed in gang violence

Police conduct a stop-and-seach to prevent and combat crime in Westbury on April 1, 2024.

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Residents of Westbury, west of Johannesburg say more than 70 people have been killed in the area in alleged gang related violence since the beginning of the year.

However, police could not confirm this.

Residents say the streets have been turned into a war-zone as gunshots ring-out on an almost daily basis and they are forced to stay indoors from 6pm for fear of being caught in the cross-fire during ongoing turf-wars between rival gangs operating in the area.

Resident Fabian Parks says has been a traumatic year for the community.

Parks says, “For this year, things in Westbury have been tough, difficult, it has been traumatic, you know we went through a lot as families. A lot of families have been affected with what has been happening in Westbury due to these senseless killings and I can say it has been about 70 or more than 70 murders that have been happening in Westbury and it has been really affecting us as a community, it has been painful.”

The community says corruption allegedly by local police officers contributes to gang related violence in the area.

Resident, Elisha Bantam says they have reported corrupt police officers on numerous occasions, however nothing is done.

Bantam says, “I have witnessed it several times where policeman have taken ammunition from people that has been sold back to gangsters in our community and it has been the same guns that has been shooting people, and we have given the heads up to quite a few policeman in our community and nothing has been done about it.”

Gauteng police have refuted claims by the residents that there is a lack of police visibility in the area, resulting in the increase of gang related violence.

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni believes there is sufficient police deployment in the area.

Mthombeni says, “I can confirm that the police visibility is there, but it is unfortunate that we can’t be on each and every corner of the street and obviously I hope you understand that. But the other thing which is critically is that we are having the Gauteng Traffic Wardens and in Sophiatown and Westbury. We are having those wardens and you will find that you are in this place and the police are on the other side.”