Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie is celebrating one month of peace and silence in his community, claiming no one has been killed in the area since 100 members of the newly formed Neighbourhood Safety Team (NST) has been deployed.
But it seems McKenzie missed at least one incident, in which an alleged mert was shot and killed in his Loganberry Street house on 12 July.
“I am not aware of this murder. It would appear to be an isolated incident which will not tarnish Bonteheuwel’s most peaceful month in years,” the councillor said.
“While Law Enforcement has ensured a much safer Bonteheuwel, it’s critical that SAPS are supporting our communities by taking gangsters to court, ensuring investigations are done properly and that stiffest sentences are handed down.
“Sadly that has been one of our greatest failures seeing meaningful prosecution in Bonteheuwel.”
Angus McKenzie and the Bonteheuwel Neighbourhood Safety Team (NST). Picture supplied
The NST was deployed to the area at the beginning of July to help curb gang violence, after 44 people were killed in gang shootings between January and June this year.
According to neighbours, 58-year-old Gregory Peterson was a drug merchant and they heard gunshots just before 7am on Friday, 12 July.
Peterson was found dead in his house.
Police spokesperson Siyabulela Malo has confirmed Peterson’s murder and said no arrests have been made.
An adamant McKenzie added: “The death of an alleged merchant or gangster has no bearing on our fight for a peaceful community which we have achieved this month.”
saafia.february@inl.co.za