A man, who was allegedly collecting protection money from a shop owner, was gunned down by suspected robbers yesterday.
And now fearful Gugulethu residents say only more police visibility will give them a sense of safety.
The shop in NY1, which is usually buzzing with customers, was turned into a bloody crime scene.
Speaking at the scene, a Gugulethu man tells the Daily Voice the suspected robbers clashed over a “protection fee” that was allegedly collected at a local shop owned by foreign nationals.
“The fee is usually collected every fifth day of the month,ut there has never been anyone shot over it,” says the resident.
“And now the community has been left terrified after this incident.”
According to the man, the deceased was driving alone in a Toyota RunX when he was attacked.
“The occupant went into the shop and collected the (protection) money, and then three other unknown men walked into the shop and quickly exited.
“They attacked the deceased who was already in [his] vehicle before [the attackers were] fleeing the scene in a cream Toyota Corolla.”
It is not clear whether the shooters also robbed the deceased.
The shop owner was not available for comment.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirms the incident and says no arrests have been made.
“Gugulethu police are investigating a murder case after a shooting incident on Monday, at about 8.48am at NY1, Gugulethu, where a 28-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are being investigated by the police with no arrests yet.”
Anyone with any information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.