Another man was shot and killed outside a tavern in Gauteng's murder capital Ivory Park.
About 3671 people were murdered in Gauteng between April 1 2014 and March 31 2015 and Ivory Park was leading the pack with 98 murders reported, an increase from 80 murders recorded during the 2013/2014 financial year.
Community and church leaders blame the shockingly high rate of murder on the many taverns .
"Young people roam taverns throughout the night. People who commit murders and other crimes are our children," said Pastor Fickson Mathebula, head of the Nazarene Vision church in the township.
Chairman of the Ivory Park community policing forum Joshua Mothuke said the majority of murders happen at night and in the early hours of the morning.
"Between 3am and 5am we are awoken by screams of people being attacked," he said.
"Too much abuse of liquor, unemployment, lack of recreational facilities, high influx of undocumented foreigners, taverns operating throughout the night, and escalating squatter camps are among contributors of crime here."
He said they have implemented programmes and awareness campaigns and engaged religious leaders and tavern owners to teach people about crime.
"People freely drink liquor everywhere. Another challenge is young people who spend nights drinking liquor every weekend."
Mothuke said weekly raids at taverns were assisting police to reduce crime and called for Operation Fiela to be deployed in the area.
Tavern owner's son David Msimangu said the man shot yesterday was killed a few steps outside the main gate of the tavern.
He said crime was a big problem and they have been forced to tighten security at the establishment.
"Patrons are searched for any dangerous weapons when they enter our place," said Msimangu.
Resident Yoliswa Thwala said killings in Ivory Park were becoming worse and other crimes such as armed robberies and housebreaking were also on the rise. Thwala blamed the crime on an increasing population and unemployment and feared that mob justice would escalate if crime was not reduced.
Katlego Shaku and France Mokoena, who were sitting under two garden umbrellas drinking beer yesterday, said Ivory Park was dangerous, especially after 8pm.
"Nyaope is also a cause of violent crimes because addicts rob people to feed their cravings. Our government is not helping at all," said Shaku.
Mokoena also complained about the high number of people being robbed daily.
ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
Taverns make Ivory Park murder capital
Another man was shot and killed outside a tavern in Gauteng's murder capital Ivory Park.
About 3671 people were murdered in Gauteng between April 1 2014 and March 31 2015 and Ivory Park was leading the pack with 98 murders reported, an increase from 80 murders recorded during the 2013/2014 financial year.
Community and church leaders blame the shockingly high rate of murder on the many taverns .
"Young people roam taverns throughout the night. People who commit murders and other crimes are our children," said Pastor Fickson Mathebula, head of the Nazarene Vision church in the township.
Chairman of the Ivory Park community policing forum Joshua Mothuke said the majority of murders happen at night and in the early hours of the morning.
"Between 3am and 5am we are awoken by screams of people being attacked," he said.
"Too much abuse of liquor, unemployment, lack of recreational facilities, high influx of undocumented foreigners, taverns operating throughout the night, and escalating squatter camps are among contributors of crime here."
He said they have implemented programmes and awareness campaigns and engaged religious leaders and tavern owners to teach people about crime.
"People freely drink liquor everywhere. Another challenge is young people who spend nights drinking liquor every weekend."
Mothuke said weekly raids at taverns were assisting police to reduce crime and called for Operation Fiela to be deployed in the area.
Tavern owner's son David Msimangu said the man shot yesterday was killed a few steps outside the main gate of the tavern.
He said crime was a big problem and they have been forced to tighten security at the establishment.
"Patrons are searched for any dangerous weapons when they enter our place," said Msimangu.
Resident Yoliswa Thwala said killings in Ivory Park were becoming worse and other crimes such as armed robberies and housebreaking were also on the rise. Thwala blamed the crime on an increasing population and unemployment and feared that mob justice would escalate if crime was not reduced.
Katlego Shaku and France Mokoena, who were sitting under two garden umbrellas drinking beer yesterday, said Ivory Park was dangerous, especially after 8pm.
"Nyaope is also a cause of violent crimes because addicts rob people to feed their cravings. Our government is not helping at all," said Shaku.
Mokoena also complained about the high number of people being robbed daily.
ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
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