Gang violence in Elsies River has claimed the lives of two men after they were gunned down on Friday.
Police say Freddy van Rooyen, 52, and an unidentified 50-year-old man were shot in 9th Avenue in Leonsdale just before 8pm.
The area has been riddled by gang violence as a bloody turf war between the Bad Boys and Terribles gang continues.
Tributes for Freddy poured in on Facebook where mense described the married father of two daughters and Wendy house builder as “a man of God” who would do anything for others.
Deputy chairperson for the Community Policing Forum in the area, Imraahn Mukaddam, says the death of innocent people due to gang violence is taking a toll on the families left behind.
“We condemn the senseless killing of innocent people in our community. The never-ending gang violence is taking its toll on families. The trauma we as a community, especially our children, have to endure because of the inability of the state to deal with the violence is intolerable,” Mukaddam says.
“A family has once again been robbed of its breadwinner and the victim’s family cannot even claim compensation. The families have to bear the full cost of these tragedies, the funeral costs, the cost of medical treatment when injured, the loss of income. We need to look at the cost of the violence on families to appreciate the impact and the suffering we experience.”
Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana says a suspect has been arrested for the double murder.
“A double murder case has been opened for investigation. A man, 18, was arrested and, once charged, will appear in the Goodwood Magistrate's Court."
robin.francke@inl.co.za