Residents of Elsies River are living in constant fear as gang violence escalates in the area, turning it into what many describe as a “war zone.” Over the past weekend, six people lost their lives, and on Monday, two more innocent victims were caught in the crossfire of a violent shooting. The surge in violence has sent shockwaves through the community, with locals now warning each other through WhatsApp groups to avoid areas like Eureka Estate, also known as “White City,” and Clarke Estate.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed that Elsies River police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder related to the ongoing violence. On Monday, authorities responded to a report near Heathview Court in Clarke Estate, where they found the lifeless body of a 63-year-old man who had been shot. A 15-year-old boy was also injured in the shooting and rushed to the hospital for treatment. The suspects involved in the incident have yet to be arrested, leaving residents in heightened fear of further violence.
As if this weren’t enough, a chilling 50-second video quickly circulated online, showing a group of men firing shots in broad daylight along 35th Street. As vehicles passed by, the gunmen ran, ducking bullets from rivals. One man can be seen firing relentlessly before reloading his weapon, continuing the barrage of gunfire as the group fled the scene. This footage has only intensified concerns about the level of danger and lawlessness taking root in the neighborhood.
A mother from Eureka Estate, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed her frustration at the unbearable situation. She explained that she is forced to keep her children at home, as it’s too dangerous for them to attend school. “We can’t even go to the shop because they stand on the corner with their guns, running up and down the road shooting at each other without looking where the innocent people are or if you are walking with a child. They don’t care,” she said. “They keep shooting, and it seems like it’s about territory. The police only come afterwards when everything is done. There are no police vans patrolling.”
The lack of effective policing has been a major concern for community leaders. Chief Hamish Arries of the Elsies River Safety Initiative criticized the absence of proactive law enforcement, despite earlier promises of reinforcements. He pointed out that police visibility is virtually non-existent during active shootings, leaving residents vulnerable. Former Elsies River Community Policing Forum (CPF) leader Imraahn Mukaddan echoed these sentiments, calling for immediate action to address the situation. He suggested that volatile areas should be cordoned off and searched to remove illegal firearms from the streets.
Mukaddan also described the community’s current reality as one of constant fear, particularly for children trying to travel to and from school. “The dissolution of the CPF has paralyzed community safety structures, leaving residents without a voice to convey concerns,” he said.
In response to the growing crisis, Chief Arries has appealed to the Provincial Commissioner General, Thembisile Patekile, to intervene and resolve the issues surrounding the Elsies River CPF. He stressed that a full-scale gang war is on the brink, and that a collective effort from all involved parties is urgently needed to protect the lives of innocent residents and restore some semblance of order to the area.
