Sophiatown was shaken by two separate shooting incidents that claimed four lives and left several injured.
Sophiatown shooting: Two separate incidents claim four lives
On the evening of Friday, 6 October 2023, the peace of a church congregation at Newlands was shattered when a group of approximately six unidentified men stormed in.
The assailants opened fire, injuring three individuals. Tragically, one of the injured, identified as Prophet Dwayne Gordon, succumbed to his wounds.
Pastor Enrico Mosavel, who was also present during the incident, sustained injuries but is reported to be in a stable condition now.
The suspects proceeded to rob the congregants of their cellphones and other personal belongings before making their escape. The police have since opened a case of murder and two counts of attempted murder, and investigations are ongoing.
In a separate incident at Kathrada Park within the Sophiatown policing jurisdiction, terror struck again when a group of unknown assailants entered a tavern and began firing indiscriminately at patrons.
They then hurriedly drove off in a white bakkie, leaving behind a scene of devastation. Three people were killed in this brutal attack, and eight others were rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, has vehemently condemned these barbaric incidents, expressing his stance in the strongest possible terms.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward.
The motive behind these attacks remains unclear, and the police are working tirelessly to unravel the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.