Inanda West Gang member wanted for murder, kidnapping killed in police shootout - IOL
A member of Inanda’s West Gang died in a shootout with police on Wednesday night.
A member of Inanda’s West Gang who was wanted for serious and violent crimes died in a shootout with police on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the man was wanted for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and house robberies. His identity has not yet been released by police. Officers received information that the man they were looking for was at a certain location in Newtown C in Inanda.
“Police operationalised the information, and when they arrived at the house, they found five men. Police introduced themselves and upon requesting to search the five men, one of them ran inside a house and shots were fired. During the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was shot and fatally wounded,” Netshiunda said.
Police said their preliminary investigation suggests that the man was a feared member of the notorious West Gang and was among the young men seen firing guns into the air in a recent viral video thought to have been recorded in KwaMashu.
Netshiunda said no police officer was injured during the shootout and a case of attempted murder of police officers had been opened for investigation.
Two months ago, an alleged West Gang member known as "Putin," real name Snakhokonke Cele, was killed. It was reported that the community had grown frustrated with his criminal activities. Reports indicate that Cele was confronted and shot by three men who allegedly tracked him down in the area.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza said Ntuzuma police have opened a murder case in connection with the incident.
It was also reported that another alleged gang member killed in recent months was Mnqobi "Number 5" Mhlongo.
Last week ANC KwaZulu-Natal task team co-ordinator James Nxumalo called for stronger action against political violence and criminal gangs in the province. Nxumalo was speaking about the resurgence of political intolerance and targeted killings as a threat to the democratic process, and addressed the targeting and murders of councillor candidates ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
The ANC singled out Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu, saying violent crime and lawlessness were having a serious impact on those communities.
“Equally alarming is the unrelenting grip of violent crime and lawlessness tormenting our people, particularly in the eThekwini region in areas such as Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu, where a ruthless syndicate of thugs calling themselves the ‘West Gang’ continues to hold law-abiding citizens hostage,” the ANC said.
“Crime is an enemy of economic progress and social stability, and the ANC remains firm in its commitment to building safer, gang-free townships where our people can live in freedom, safety, and dignity,” the ANC said.
