The community of Westbury in Gauteng, says it supports calls for the deployment of the army following last week's mass shooting.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Residents of Westbury in Gauteng say they support the call for the army to be deployed to their community following Thursday's mass shooting, which claimed two lives and resulted in the injury of three others, including a 15-month-old baby.
IOL has reported that the latest mass shooting took place on Thursday evening, after gunmen opened fire, in what residents believe was a gang-related attack.
The victims were 19-year-old Reece Oliphant, and a yet to be identified adult female.
Bianca Oliver, a community leader in the area indicated that the possible deployment of the army would be welcomed as the community 'has suffered long enough at the hands of gang members'.
"We can't keep saying that this is gang related killings, but it is just senseless killings that are affecting our community because not everyone that is shot is part of a gang. We don't know what transpired when that shooting took place as it happened so fast.
"The community is angry but not angry enough. We have begged and pleaded that the army needs to come out and assist...we need more assistance on the ground,'' Oliver said.
This latest shooting comes just months after a similar incident claimed the lives of two teenagers in October 2025. The shooting has once again intensified fears in the community, where residents say innocent bystanders are often caught in the crossfire of ongoing gang violence.
According to Gauteng police, the victims were standing at the corner of Larkspur Court and Jacaranda Court when an unknown number of suspects opened fire on them. All five victims sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital, where the adult woman was declared dead on arrival.
The acting minister of police, Firoz Cachalia on Saturday indicated that the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to Westbury in Johannesburg, will take longer than expected.
Cachalia indicated that before the deployment, the soldiers will have to receive training in areas such as Westbury, which have been affected by gang violence.
“It is going to take a little bit longer than originally expected and the reason for that is that people are raising legitimate concerns about the risks associated with deploying the army because the soldiers are not trained in policing. So, we have to ensure that we take them through a training process of understanding their role and also the limits of their responsibility,” Cachalia said.
Cachalia also emphasised the urgent need to strengthen the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) as South Africa grapples with an alarming escalation in organised crime and criminal syndicates.
“It is not always easy visiting communities affected by gang violence. We are looking at strengthening the organised crime approach. The tragedy we witnessed here is heartbreaking.”
Merlyin Smouse, the ward councillor in the area called on authorities to address grieving families on practical efforts being made to improve the situation in the area as the community continues to suffer amid an increase in gang violence.
“The families are crying. Now we must go to a hospital. We must go and visit elsewhere. Why don’t you approach the family and the residents of Westbury and the surrounding areas that are undergoing this dilemma every day," she said.