Residents of Diepsloot, a township located north-west of Johannesburg, find themselves in a state of war with criminals following a series of violent incidents that resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals in a single night.
These killings are believed to be acts of retaliation for a vigilante attack that claimed seven lives in December. The community is convinced that criminals are seeking revenge, and the situation has reached a critical point.
Among the victims were Johannes Mabe, Abel Sithole, Justice Motlhale, and Tshifivha Mukhovha. These separate incidents have left the community devastated and in fear for their safety.
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Loyiso Toyiya, a community leader, expressed his frustration with the lack of effective action from the police in curbing the violence and crime in the area.
Talking about the efforts made by the community to address the issue, Toyiya explained, “Last year, we even made an effort to go to the office of the President, asking them to intervene.
“The issue of crime in Diepsloot is not only failed by inadequate policing, but it’s also the fact that we have a lot of informal settlements that contribute significantly to the disruption of this area. Hence, we asked for formalization.”
Unfortunately, progress has been slow in response to their requests from the Office of the Presidency, the police ministry, and human settlements. Toyiya emphasized the need for a permanent solution rather than temporary measures.
“He called for the deployment of a Technical Response Team that can effectively infiltrate the entire area and address the root causes of the escalating violence.
The recent killings have created an atmosphere of fear and desperation in Diepsloot. Toyiya expressed his concern, stating, “What’s happening in this community is not normal. We woke up on Saturday morning, and four people had been killed, while three others are in critical condition at the hospital.”
Residents are demanding urgent intervention from national leadership and have made it clear that politicians should not attempt to campaign in Diepsloot for the upcoming elections.
Toyiya stressed, “Our situation needs serious attention. People are dying in Diepsloot. They must not come here when it’s time to vote. These ministers act like Hollywood stars when they see cameras. We don’t want that anymore.”
Abel “Absa” Sithole, one of the deceased individuals, was a respected member of the Community Policing Forum. According to Toyiya, Sithole was followed for months before his murder allegedly by ten suspects in connection with a robbery.
Sithole’s dedication to protecting the residents and his willingness to risk his own life made him a target for criminals who saw him as a threat.
The community of Diepsloot finds itself in a dire situation, with criminals seemingly familiar with the residents’ daily routines. The lack of effective law enforcement and the presence of numerous informal settlements contribute to the ongoing violence and crime.
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