Residents of Bhambayi in KwaZulu-Natal have voiced anger and fear following the fatal shooting of three community patrollers during a confrontation with suspected gang members.
The incident occurred in the Bhambayi area near Inanda, where patrollers reportedly attempted to stop and search a group believed to be linked to the so-called West Gang. The suspects allegedly opened fire, killing three patrollers. One of the suspects was also shot dead in the exchange.
The confrontation comes amid growing tensions in the community, following a series of violent incidents linked to the same group. At the beginning of last year, five individuals believed to be associated with the gang were hacked to death in the area.
Community patroller leader Tembile Mdiya said a group of about 16 volunteers had mobilised after receiving reports of multiple house robberies in the Chencele area.
“When we arrived, several households reported that three suspects had entered homes, pointed firearms and stole cellphones and laptops. We continued searching through the night, and after midnight we came across three suspects in the Number 5 area,” Mdiya said.
Residents say crime has surged in recent days. Local resident Ndu Radebe claimed more than 20 break-ins and house robberies were reported in the past week alone.
“The robbers tell victims that the West Gang is back. They move from house to house, taking phones and laptops. In some cases, they force victims to transfer money from their bank accounts before locking them inside and moving on,” Radebe said.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has urged residents not to confront suspects directly, warning of the dangers involved.
Spokesperson for the South African Police Service, Robert Netshiunda, encouraged community involvement but stressed that it should be done safely.
“Community structures such as Community Policing Forums must act as the eyes and ears of the police, and not take actions that could endanger their lives. Criminals have shown they are willing to shoot, even at police officers,” he said.
Residents have called for increased police visibility in the area, as well as greater support for community patrollers working to curb crime.