Captain Nqobile Gwala, a KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, said police had responded to a complaint of a shooting at Sydenham Heights on Rippon Road. Police got caught in the crossfire between two rival drug gangs in a block of flats in Sydenham on Monday night.
“On arrival at the said place unknown suspects opened fire at the members before fleeing the scene. No injuries were sustained by the police. No arrests were made. The motive for the shooting is unknown,” Gwala said.
According to residents, there has been a drug turf war between a group of men in Matlock Grove and Sydenham Heights A-block on Rippon Road.
The drug dens are within walking distance of one another. Residents are now fearing for their lives and are keeping their children indoors in fear of being hit by stray bullets.
In a dramatic 22 second video recorded by a resident several gunshots can be heard and in the near distance. A group of men can be seen running and muzzle flashes as they let of gunshots. The Sydenham heights comprise three multiple storey blocks of flats.
This shootout happened between the A and B block parking lot, as it is known by residents, in the vicinity of the Sydenham clinic. It is not clear if the shooters were targetting the police or a rival drug gang in the video.
Gwala urged the public to come forward with information to assist police catch the culprits. Charges of attempted murder were opened at Sydenham police station for investigation.
Source: IOL News
