Everson Luhanga
Confirming the arrest of seven suspects police minister Bheki Cele has refuted claims, widespread on social media, that the spate of murders in Alex was the work of foreigners.
Addressing the media outside the Alexandra police station on Friday afternoon, Cele said: “All the seven arrested suspects are South Africans and the victims are also South Africans.”
Cele said that two of the suspects were identified through the cell phones they allegedly stole from their victims. Police recovered 10 cell phones.
Cele slammed the Alexandra police, who he says should have acted more quickly.
Police were slow to respond after the first murders were reported by residents and as gunshots continued to be heard in different parts of the township.
Minister Cele said police have recovered one firearm, with some of the bullet shells that were used at one of the crime scenes.
He refuted a voice note that has been circulating on social media claiming that “foreigners are mobilising to shoot at locals.”
“They are young people who were born in Alexandra and grew up in this community. They are killing residents of this community.”
In the Soweto shooting, the police investigation suggests that the suspects are all from KwaZulu-Natal, Nongoma in particular.
Answering questions from the media, Cele said there is no sign of coordination in the recent tavern-related crimes, especially the murders that have rocked the country.
In the Mamelodi shooting, he said two men were fighting and following each other to a tavern, where one was shot and killed.
He said all the killings have a different modus operandi and there’s no connection between them.
Cele visited two families of the deceased in Alex, while Gauteng Premier David Makhura visited the four victims, who are still fighting for their lives in hospital.
Alex FM DJ Joshua Mbatha was among those who were killed. Station manager Takalane Nemangowe said the staff are heartbroken.
Cele said he will meet community leaders on Sunday morning.
Some of the arrested suspects have been taken to Sandton police cells.
