Fears that the upswing in serious violence taking place in Itireleng over these past few months, with a number of people being killed by armed gangs, will spill over into nearby Laudium and Erasmia, are becoming a reality.
This follows the shooting of a taxi marshall from Itireleng, known as Fana, who was shot dead on Emerald Str in Laudium yesterday afternoon (Thursday – July 21). According to witnesses, gunmen in a white Toyota opened fire at Fana and then fled the scene. It was also reported yesterday that the bodies of two persons, believed to be from Itireleng, were found in a veld near Verster Street in Erasmia.
Whilst police are not commenting, it is believed that at least 7 persons from Itireleng were shot dead within a month, with one being shot yesterday morning & another this past Wednesday. Itireleng is slowly becoming a war zone, with local police clearly unable to enforce law & order in the area.
The Laudium Sun has recieved several calls from residents of both Laudium and Itireleng, expressing concern regarding the spate of violent deaths that have taken place in the area, over the past month or two. Calls have now been made for the army to come into the area, so that law and order can be maintained.
It is estimated that there are about 30,000 people living in Itireleng, many of whom are undocumented foreigners living illegally in the area. Recently, shacks have also been extended behind the Taj Str area as more and more illegal foreigners are coming into the area. The Tshwane Council had promised to stop the illegal setting up of shacks in the area, but seems not to be interested in curbing the problem.
The Laudium Sun contacted a number of ANC members in Itireleng for comment, but they refused to say anything, saying they were terribly afraid of reprisals.
