Reiger Park mass shooting: Residence sceptical cops will arrest perpetrators

Community members in Reiger Park said they have little confidence in police arresting the perpetrators of this weekend’s mass shooting.

On Saturday, two vehicles drove by a group of people, shooting and killing six of them.

Three other people are recovering in hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds.

No arrests have been made.

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- Reiger Park residents accuse families of shielding perpetrators of deadly drive-by shootings

- Ekurhuleni's Dlabathi calls Reiger Park crime 'uncontrollable' after 6 people shot dead

On Monday, community members gathered to meet the Acting Ekurhuleni Mayor Jongizizwe Dlabathi, who was visiting the families of the deceased.

They claimed to know who the perpetrators are, but complained that their families are protecting them from arrest.

A frustrated resident said she does not believe the government’s intervention will yield any results.

“Then you just see them out walking in the streets, the dockets are gone, there’s no case, a lack of evidence, today they are in, tomorrow they come and they do it again.”

The community leader, Hein April, said they want solutions not suggestions.

“We would want to see more consistent feet of police on the ground, we want consistency and involvement of the municipality [to deal with] the social ills in our community, we need more than words.”

Dlabathi said they will protect those who come forward with credible information.

ACTING MAYOR BLAMES DRUGS AND GANG VIOLENCE

Dlabathi believes drugs and gang violence are the main reasons behind violent crimes in areas like Reiger Park.

He said illegal drug supply must be cut off.

“Society must refuse to create demand for drug supply because once that exists, you are giving rise to the business of drugs, you are giving rise to gangster who are fighting for the space, the territory.”

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