Urgent community meeting called as police investigate shootings in Salt River

The Salt River Community Policing Forum (CPF) has urged residents and civil organisations to attend a meeting on Wednesday, July 9, to discuss the recent spate of shootings in the area.

In the latest reports, Woodstock police are investigating two shootings that took place in Salt River during the past week.

On Friday, July 4, Provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed that a 33-year-old male was fatally shot in the early hours of the morning in Salt River. “The victim was taken to the hospital, though medical staff declared the person dead from fatal injuries,” he said.

Warrant Officer Swartbooi said that an unknown suspect fled the scene and is yet to be arrested. “The motive for this attack is under police investigation,” he said.

Salt River CPF sector chairperson, Nizaam Dalwai said that Woodstock police are looking at leads, though are yet to make an arrest.

Then on Wednesday July 2, Provincial police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that a 39-year-old male was shot at his home in Shelley Street, Salt River at around 1.20pm.

,“According to reports, the victim was at home when an unidentified male knocked on his door. When he opened the door, the male drew a firearm and shot him several times in the stomach and fled the scene,” he said.

Captain van Wyk said that the victim was taken to the nearby hospital for medical treatment. “Woodstock police are investigating an attempted murder case; the motive for the attack is yet to be determined,” he said. The suspect fled the scene and has yet to be arrested.

Mr Dalwai confirmed that the victim is still recovering in the hospital.

These latest shootings follow a spate of shootings that occurred in Salt River and Woodstock over the past month. 

Last Sunday, June 29, a 37-year-old male was fatally shot in the early hours, around 1.20am in Bromwell Street, Woodstock. (“Woodstock police probe murder of 37-year-old man, Southern Suburbs Tatler, June 30)

Last 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)

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). 

Mr Dalwai said that these shootings have caused major concern in the community.

,“We will not be silent, we will stand up and the community is urged to support the police in solving the crimes, as they are the eyes and ears of the police,” he said.

The meeting will take place at St Luke’s Church, Albert Road, Salt River, on Wednesday, July 9, from 6.30pm till 7.30pm. Salt River CPF will have representatives of Woodstock police. For more information you can call Mr Dalwai at 084 447 3004.