Lentswe, Klerksdorp - Gang wars in Jouberton are at breaking point where three residents died in recent clashes. According to Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, police spokesperson, in a bid to effectively deal with gangsterism, eight accused persons were remanded in custody when they appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on April 24. They were charged with three counts of murder and two of attempted murder.
The crimes were committed on April 14 and 15 in Jouberton. The accused were expected to appear in court again on Thursday May 2, for bail application. “The accused, who are alleged to be members of Al-Qaeda gang, were arrested during a crime intelligence driven operation by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit. That after the accused allegedly attacked, shot and killed three people and injured nine others at Ext 7, Jouberton.
“Reports suggest that members of a rival gang were inside a tuck shop to collect a so-called protection fee from the owner when the accused arrived in four vehicles. Subsequent to an argument that ensued between the two groups, Al-Qaeda gang members who were armed with knives and firearms fired shots.
“As a result, members of Boko Haram were injured and others ran away. Later in the evening, members of Al-Qaeda stormed a house and fired several shots at Boko Haram gang members while watching television at a house at Ext 7. The shooting incident led to the deaths of two males, aged 36 and 38. Others were injured and taken to hospital.”
It was also established that a 42-year-old Boko Haram member was shot and killed in a separate incident in Ext 19, Jouberton, while collecting money from the tuckshop owner. The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Monday April 23, at their different residential places. Two counts of murder and nine of attempted murder were registered.
