By Theodorah Waga Mawasha
LENYENYE- A total of 10 people were shot and robbed of their belongings in separate incidents on Thursday and friday in Alexandra township, Gauteng, leaving 6 people dead.
One of the people killed in the shootings is Simon Sepaka, a taxi driver from Lenyenye in Greater Tzaneen.
It is reported that Sepaka and an unidentified passenger were traveling in his Toyota Avanza when the incident occurred. Reports further indicate that the shooting happened around midnight on Thursday.
The deceased’s sister Neo Molobela was quoted on Sowetan newspaper, describing him as a humble man who had no enemies. Molobela said that the death came as a shock to them because her brother was a loner.
“My brother was a quiet man who had no enemies. I was called to the scene just after midnight on Friday morning. When I arrived, his body was already moved and transported to the mortuary”, Molobela sobbed.
Alexandra residents and CPF members said that the police in the area have dropped the ball and inevitably lost the battle on crime. Many said that they have resorted to taking matters into their own hands because they are losing family members senselessly.
Gauteng police Commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela in a statement that they arrested the 8th suspect today in connection with the shootings. The suspects are between the ages of 23 to 33 years.
“The swift arrest would not have been possible without the assistance of the community members “, Mawela said.
The eight suspects arrested appeared briefly in the Alexandra Magistrates Court today. The state has opposed bail. The case has been postponed to 25 July. All suspects remained in custody.
The deceased had two children aged 13 and 17 years and will be buried in Lenyenye in Greater Tzaneen on Saturday July 23.
