In the early hours of Tuesday, December 3, 2024, tenants in a Daveyton building were jolted from their sleep by the sound of gunfire and the violent crashing of their doors. In a terrifying and swift attack, more than 10 armed suspects stormed into their rooms, ransacking their belongings and leaving a trail of destruction behind.
The landlord, a 70-year-old man named Mkhulu, was asleep in one of the rooms when he was struck by bullets in the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and is now fighting for his life.
Tenants, who were still in shock, described the terrifying ordeal. “It happened so quickly,” one tenant recalled. “It was dark, and the electricity was cut off, so they used their cellphone lights to search our rooms.” The criminals, who appeared well-prepared and methodical, also demanded cash, cell phones, and anything of value. “I had four of them in my room, and from what I heard, there were at least four more in my neighbor’s room. They were armed, and they handed the stolen items to others waiting outside, who loaded them into cars.”
The assailants seemed determined to conceal their identities, cutting the building’s electricity before launching the attack, which made it even more difficult for residents to defend themselves. After the suspects fled the scene, residents called Daveyton police, who arrived to collect statements and fingerprints. However, a troubling oversight occurred when police allegedly forgot to take one of their fingerprint kits. The kit was retrieved a day later, raising questions about the efficiency of the investigation.
The community is now in a state of fear, with residents expressing their frustration. “We can’t live like this,” one tenant said. “We’re not safe in our own homes. These criminals are terrorizing us.”
Captain Nelda Sekgobela of the Ekurhuleni District Police assured the public that she would inquire about the missing fingerprint kit and take steps to ensure the case is handled properly. Despite the police response, residents are calling for immediate action to apprehend the criminals and bring an end to the terror plaguing their neighborhood.
