By: Natasha Archary with additional reporting by Kaya News reporter Katleho Sekhotho
Last week’s revenge attack on Fast Guns gang leader, Keenen Sheldon Ebrahim, has sparked a fresh spate of gun violence in Westbury, south of Johannesburg.
It is suspected that Ebrahim was gunned down in a revenge attack for the murder of a boy in Westbury last week.
Communities in both areas are now terrified that an all-out war is going to ensue due to the on-going gang rivalry.
Reports suggest that Westbury residents were outraged after the young boy was caught in the crossfire.
The latest victim was an 18-year old boy who was shot at his friend’s home while trying to escape two gunmen.
Kaya News reporter, Katleho Sekhotho was escorted to Westbury where she spoke to Shaun Tarr, principal of a nursery school in the area.
Tarr shares how children are scared and angry because their community has become a place of broken dreams.
Children can’t go outside to play, even in their own backyards because shootings occur daily.
The Gauteng Legislature has called for additional policing in Westbury, placing an emphasis on community safety.
Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku said the situation in Westbury needs to be addressed urgently before more lives are lost.
Drugs, high youth unemployment and poverty are a few of the social issues behind the rampant crime and gang violence in the area.
Residents in Westbury say weekend shooting sprees have claimed the lives of two more people, with more than 11 others who were injured.
Although some residents say the number is higher and say 9 people have died since Friday.
Listen to one of the residents from Westbury share how drugs is ruining the community:
Also read: Bheki Cele says there has been ‘significant progress’ in AKA’s murder investigation
