Fear grips Marikana: The shebeen debate after a deadly mass shooting

Fear has taken hold of the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East, as residents express differing views on whether shebeens should be shut down following a mass shooting that left eight people dead and two injured last Saturday.

While opinions vary, one concern unites them: the alarming rise in violent crime that continues to terrorise the community.

On Monday afternoon, just two days after the tragedy in which ten people were gunned down, Marikana appeared deceptively calm. The settlement was alive with activity as residents went about their daily routines, vendors traded, and taxis moved in and out. On the surface, life seemed unchanged, yet beneath it lay fear, grief, and unresolved trauma.

Vukani visited the area to engage residents on their crime and safety concerns. Prior arrangements were made with local leaders, who agreed to the visit but warned journalists to be vigilant. Just after 2 pm, seven residents had shared their views, all on condition of anonymity, including community leaders, citing serious safety concerns.

One resident, who identified herself only as Nozibele (not her real name), insisted on speaking away from her home and out of sight of neighbours.

“I am willing to talk, but not here unless I want to die,” she said, pointing towards Goal Supermarket. After verifying that Vukani reporters were indeed journalists, she cautiously shared her views.

“Kukwanja zoth’umlilo apha,” she said  -  loosely translating to “this is a dangerous place where it’s every person for themselves.”

She described Marikana as an area devoid of peace but stated that she did not support the outright closure of shebeens.

“The sad thing is that you can’t even regulate them,” she said. “But sometimes they help because criminals drink and go home after that,” she added, reflecting the complex realities residents grapple with daily.

Nozibele asserted that shootings cannot be blamed solely on shebeens and taverns. “Unemployment, school dropouts, and drugs all play a role,” she said.

“Are we to blame, shebeen queens and kings? No. This place is lawless. People do as they like. Police are scared to come here, especially at night. Drug dealers and boys who hang around the corners are also a major cause of crime.”

Another resident, Themba (not his real name), was visibly shaken as he spoke. He strongly believes that shebeens operating around the clock should be shut down.

“They hide criminals,” he said, adding that fear has silenced the community.

“We don’t even attend meetings called by our own leaders,” he said. “It’s pointless because no one wants to speak out and face the wrath of criminals. Closing shebeens might help, but who will lead us? Who will protect us?”

A local leader, who asked that neither his name nor position be disclosed, stated that violent attacks at illegal shebeens and unlicensed taverns have become a disturbing norm. He recalled a previous massacre in which eleven people were killed, with no meaningful intervention following the incident.

“Please don’t mention my name,” he said. “I’ve been harassed and threatened many times. Yes, I am a leader, but my safety comes first. The truth is, shebeens should be closed. But for many, they are the only source of income. Unless something directly affects an individual’s business, they won’t acknowledge the crime.”

He confirmed that the shooting last Saturday was not an isolated incident.

“People have been shot there before, but no one will tell you. This wasn’t the first time. Sadly, even the owner was killed. And in African culture, you cannot speak ill of the dead,” he said, shaking his head.

What is clear is that Marikana is gripped by relentless violence and deep-seated fear. Residents live under constant threat, unsure of when the next tragedy will strike. Of those who spoke to Vukani, every voice carried the same undertone: terror has taken hold, and silence has become a means of survival.

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