Statement by Yongama Zigebe, UDM Secretary General
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is distraught by the recent tragic events in Imizamo Yethu township in Hout Bay resulting in the loss of seven lives, with three more wounded in a mass shooting attack.
Another incident occurred on Thursday night, when suspects shot and killed four people at the Uganda informal settlement in Umlazi when a group of friends were visiting inside a shack and at least six suspects stormed in and demanded their cellphones. It is reported that the victims refused to hand over their phones and one of the suspects drew a firearm and shot three people. As they were leaving the crime scene, the suspects allegedly met another man who was walking to the shack from a pit latrine, and they shot him dead after he also reportedly refused to surrender his cellphone.
These mass shootings are not isolated, as one remembers the tavern massacres that took place in 2023.
South Africa has for many years become a crime scene where little has been done to bring to book criminals who commit progressively more violent crimes. Areas such as Zwide, New Brighton, the Northern Areas, Motherwell in Nelson Mandela Bay, the Cape Flats, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Delft and other areas in Cape Town, Johannesburg Central, Tembisa, Alexandra, Durban Central, in particular, are crime ridden.
Our law enforcement agencies must actively investigate these incidents and more importantly research their causes. In addition, additional resources must be deployed to ensure swift justice and prevent further fuelling of these crimes.
The UDM urges anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing those responsible to justice.
The UDM extends our condolences to the families affected by these senseless acts of violence. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
Issued by:
Mr Yongama Zigebe
Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement
