Top provincial detectives have been deployed to Walmer township after a string of apparent “hit’ murders have rocked the area over the past two months, leaving residents living in fear.
The area has been identified as a hotspot territory due to a surge in gun-related murders, with the latest occurring on Tuesday when two men were found shot dead not far from each other, but in separate incidents.
It was during the early hours of the morning when 28-year-old Molise Xakaka’s body was found.
He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
His apparent crime?
Knocking on someone’s door to ask for a cigarette.
According to eyewitness reports, Xakaka had knocked on a door in Tshanga Street, Walmer township, looking for cigarettes.
A police statement indicates the owner of the house said he did not have cigarettes.
The next moment, gunshots pierced through the air.
Hours later, another body was discovered.
This time the victim was 43-year-old Thabo Toko.
Toko’s lifeless body was discovered in Xalekile Street, not far from where the first shooting had occurred.
According to police, Toko had sustained two gunshot wounds.
He was shot once in the back and once in the abdomen.
In both cases the police are still investigating possible motives.
By Friday, no arrests had been made.
A 35-year-old man was shot dead in Gqeberha’s Walmer township on the night of July 30.
Police spokesperson Col Priscilla Naidu said Hlumelo Veto had stopped his white Opel Corsa in Popo Molefe Street at about 9.40pm, and was walking towards a house, when shots were fired at him by two men.
Naidu said the dockets had since been handed over to the provincial organised crime investigation unit.
Naidu was unable to give a breakdown of the exact number of murders in the area of late, but it is believed the number is climbing rapidly.
“These areas are identified as hotspot areas, and special operations and crime prevention duties do take place continuously.
“In the last two weeks there was intensified visibility in the area,” Naidu said.
Walmer township resident Siphiwo Nkomo, 58, lost his son, Sinethemba Delihlazo, 27, to such violence.
Delihlazo was shot multiple times and left for dead in an isolated dumpsite in Area N in July.
A week later, another gruesome discovery was made.
Bulelani Goni’s body was found at night in Airport Valley, Walmer.
He, too, had been shot multiple times.
Again, no perpetrators have been arrested.
According to Nkomo, Sinethemba had been shot in the neck while making his way home on June 28.
His body was discovered the following morning by passers-by.
“It is painful because no-one knows what is happening.
“People are dying and no-one knows the motive behind this cruelty,” Nkomo said.
“My son’s murder has caused us great misery and there has been no solid explanation from the police.”
Nkomo, a member of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) at the time of his son’s death, said some members had relinquished their roles as they feared for their lives.
“It is difficult to work with the police when they are also afraid. I thought about my safety.
“You will never see a police van in some of these areas, the only time you will see it is when someone is dead,” he claimed.
“We hear gunshots daily here, all you can do is sit still and wonder who will be next.”
Naidu said the CPF remained active in the area and she encouraged residents to assist the police with any information that could help them put an end to the spate of killings.
“The community sector patrollers also make a huge positive difference in the area.
“The recent murders are allegedly being carried out by criminals from outside the area who come in, commit the crime and leave, hence we are urging the communities to report all suspicious activity immediately.
“They may remain anonymous and their confidentiality is protected,” Naidu added.
Ward councillor Ayanda Tyukwana could not be reached for comment.
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