Mariannhill CPF says many homes empty due to crime rate
The Community Policing Forum in Mariannhill says a rise in crime, linked to a specific gang, forced many people to flee their homes.
Nine suspects were killed in a shoot-out with police officers in the western Durban Wednesday morning.
Authorities say they were wanted in connection with a gang rape and other violent crimes.
Community members who gathered outside the homestead on Nerina Road were visibly relieved after the shootout, with some even celebrating.
One neighbour told Newswatch some of the suspects had grown up in the area but had turned to terrorising the community.
ALSO READ: Emotional scenes in Mariannhill after deadly police shootout
Residents say they had been unable to leave windows or doors open for fear of their homes being broken into and being attacked.
Others shared they have been afraid to walk on the streets, and had to resort to using e-hailing services to get around the neighbourhood.
The local CPF chairperson, Dawood Chirwa says residents have been feeling unsafe, particularly because of the murders.
"We lost alot of community members here because you can see some of the houses here are vacant because they had to run away."
Detectives are still searching for two more suspects.
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
We are also on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)
MORE ON ECR
