Diepsloot witnessed another tragedy as a suspected gunman lost his life to a brazen mob attack.
Here’s everything we know about the deadly Diepsloot mob attack
The incident unfolded when the man was accused of firing a weapon indiscriminately into the air, escalating quickly into a confrontation with local residents.
This unsettling event occurred a mere day after Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda had met with Diepsloot’s community members to discuss their concerns, prominently featuring crime and developmental issues on the agenda, per Sowetan.
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Confirming the incident, Station Commander Brigadier Koena Moichela expressed the need for an investigation:
“There has been a killing by the mob. There is an investigation into the matter as we don’t know why the community killed him.”
Community leader Loyiso Toyiya shed light on the sequence of events, stating that a concerned resident had alerted him to the situation.
Toyiya recounted that the deceased was one of two individuals who had been firing shots into the air despite prior warnings. In response to this reckless behaviour, the community confronted the armed men, leading to a violent altercation.
While one managed to escape, the other tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Reflecting the sentiments of the community, an unnamed resident expressed deep frustration with the escalating crime levels.
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In a show of collective resolve, residents had organised a march just the previous Friday to protest against the high crime rates in the area.
They issued a demand for a timely response from the police by the following Friday.
The surge in criminal activities has also adversely affected local businesses, with some opting for early closures or shutting down altogether due to concerns about becoming targets.
Alarming statistics from the police underscore the gravity of the situation in Diepsloot.
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Between January and June 2023, the community witnessed 39 homicides, averaging one life lost per week. The incidence of rape also witnessed a concerning surge, with 66 cases reported during this period, 29 of which occurred between April and June 2023.
These figures rank Diepsloot 13th in Gauteng and 47th nationally for rape cases.
Of significant concern, Diepsloot leads both Gauteng and South Africa in cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, with 208 incidents reported within the first half of the year.