Woodstock police probe murder of 37-year-old man

Woodstock police are investigating the murder of a 37-year-old male who was shot in the early hours of Sunday, June 29.

Provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said Woodstock police responded to a shooting complaint in the area.

“Police arrived at the crime scene in Bromwell Street, Woodstock, at about 1.20am where they found the body of a man who sustained a gunshot wound,” he said.

Warrant Officer Swartbooi said the victim was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. 

He said no arrests were made, and the motive for this attack had not been determined yet.

This has been the third major shooting in the community during the past month, where the previous two shootings that took place in Salt River were gang-related, according to the police.

Earlier this month, Woodstock police investigated the attempted murder of a 16-year-old male who was shot multiple times on the corner of Cecil Road and Dryden Street, Salt River. (“Salt River on edge: Police probe second gang shooting incident,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, June 16)

Then on Saturday, May 31, after midnight, a man was fatally shot multiple times in Lower Main Road, Observatory, and later succumbed to his gunshot wounds in London Road, Salt River (“Gang-related murder investigation underway in Salt River,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, June 3). 

Woodstock Community Policing Forum (CPF) public relations officer, Gary Adams, said they were concerned with the recent shooting of a young man who grew up in the community.

“Tragically, a young man’s life was ended by an unnecessary murder,” he said.

Mr Adams said the recent gang-related shootings that have taken place in Salt River have also raised concerns in the community.

“We would like to urge the public to join forces with the Woodstock CPF and come forward anonymously with any information they have on the recent crimes,” he said.

Mr Adams said there should be more programmes that can benefit the youth in the community. “We need more partnerships from drug rehabilitation centres, counselling services and faith-based organisations to help the youth,” he said.

Ward 57 Councillor, Yusuf Mohamed said the shooting incident is deeply concerning as it highlights the contempt criminals have for life.

“I understand that it is not easy coming forward as a community member, but I can assure the strictest confidentiality for anyone with information when reporting to the City on the tip-off line 0800 110077,” he said.

Mr Mohamed said people who had previously used the tip-off line have resulted in taking firearms and drugs off the streets.

The Tatler contacted the relative of the victim for comment, who said the family prefers not to comment until they have more information on the crime.

Woodstock police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stop on 0860 010 111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.