Fear grips Gugulethu and Nyanga residents in the wake of recent gun violence

Two people, a man and a woman, were shot dead and three others wounded in shootings at the Barcelona and Europe informal settlements in Nyanga on Monday morning.

The injured include two men and an 18-year-old woman; residents say the attacks have left the community on edge.

Onlookers in Barcelona reported hearing numerous gunshots in the early hours of Monday, September 15.

Residents said they are uncertain about the motive behind the shootings, but some suspect it may be related to protection fees, while Gugulethu police said that the motive remains unknown, but it is being investigated.

Police spokesperson Constable Homani said that the protection fee theory is one possibility being considered.

One resident, who has lived in Barcelona for over two decades, suggested that this incident marks a troubling spike in violence that has gripped both Barcelona and Europe, significantly affecting the daily lives of its residents.

“This has been going on for a long time now. If you remember, there were about seven individuals who were fatally shot around June. There have been more incidents, and the war will continue. The problem is us, the ordinary people. We are living in fear. These mass shootings are affecting us,” he said.

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of harassment, said: “We are scared to go outside after dark now. In fact, even during broad daylight, we are afraid. We feel held hostage by our own children," she said, adding that, "They do not play; they kill."

The resident expressed concern that the sound of gunshots is becoming too familiar. She fears that children who like to stand on the corners are not safe.

“It is true that we no longer feel safe in our own homes. We do not feel safe in our own area. Everyone of us has safety concerns,” she said.

The situation is similar for residents of Nyanga, where, according to Colonel Wynand Muller, one person was shot on Sunday night. Colonel Muller also stated that the motive for this killing is currently unknown.

Community leaders have called for urgent police intervention, advocating for increased patrols and visibility in response to the growing insecurity.

Community Policing Forum secretary, Bishop Dumisani Qwebe, said according to their records, six people have been killed in the last seven days. He also mentioned that there are taxi-related incidents in Nyanga.

“The truth is that people are dying," he said, adding that he was at the crime scene on Monday, where two men had been killed.

"They were still wearing balaclavas," he said, adding that authorities needed to take action to ensure the safety of residents. 

He condemned the killings and stated that ordinary people should not have to live in fear of stepping outside or sending their children to school. Residents are calling for more support from all law enforcement agencies, he said.

Anyone with information about the shooting incident can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.