On Saturday, February 4, Mayfair community members witnessed the gruesome murder of two innocent people. Mohammed Shabier Karolia and Mohamed Walaly were both shot in Mayfair’s Hanover Street; one other person managed to escape unharmed. The circumstances surrounding the shooting is not clear. However, it is alleged that the suspects, travelling in a black Toyota Hilux bakkie followed the victims who were in a black BMW from Actonville, Benoni and ambushed them a few metres away from the Mayfair Jummah Masjid.
Mohammed Shabier Karolia was certified dead on the scene whilst Mohamed Walaly lost his battle in hospital.
Community members vented their frustration on social media. Most of them strongly believe that law agencies are not doing enough to combat crime in the area.
Also read:R250K taken in Shoprite robbery
Thami Xuza, ANC chairperson for Ward 58, condemned the shooting.
“We are deeply worried and concerned about the situation in Mayfair. Recently, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) was called to intervene and curb crime in the area. We thought that the issues within that vicinity had been resolved. However, it is still continuing which is a worrying factor. We are in a process of establishing a Migrant Desk that will deal with certain issues that we think are essential when it comes to our foreign nationals. Let us be calm and allow the law to take its course and bring the perpetrators to book,” he said.
Ward 58 Councillor, Alex Christians, urged community members to work with law enforcement agencies to prevent crime.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the young men who lost their lives over the weekend. We call on the SAPS to safeguard the lives of our residents and set up a satellite station opposite Hanover Bakery as an interim measure. The JMPD and SAPS need to combine forces to provide more visibility in this area where regular gunshots are heard on a daily basis. As a community, we need to work together with various organs of the state to bring these criminals to book,” Christians said.
Amir Sheik, chairperson of the Somali Community Board of South Africa, also shared Christians’ sentiments. Sheik also pleaded with community members to work together with law enforcement agencies.
“What happened recently is sad and regrettable. We would like to send our condolences to the families of the deceased. We do not condone this cowardly act and call upon communities to refrain from frivolous accusations that can spark tension between South Africans and foreign nationals. We urge community members who have information regarding the shooting to contact the police,” said Sheik.
Have a story? contact a reporter on 071-246-3772 or call into the Rising Sun offices on 011-852-0842.
Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for more news.
The post Two killed in Mayfair shooting appeared first on Rising Sun Lenasia.