POLITICS

"Gang's deadly revenge!" - Daily Sun

"One is dead and four others are fighting for their lives!" - front page lead, October 7 2014

Daily Sun (October 7 2014) - A YEAR ago an inyanga paid with his life for helping the Casanova gang with muthi. But the battle isn't over and anxious residents live in fear as a rumour is whispered on the street corners.

IT IS SAID THE CASANOVAS HAVE VOWED TO KILL 10 RESIDENTS.

And it appears the gang, who are active in Khutsong, west of Joburg, are taking seriously their vow to bring peace to the inyanga's restless spirit.

The gang has allegedly attacked people in the area and a schoolboy is dead, while four workers in foreign-owned shops have been attacked and are in intensive care fighting for their lives.

Last year, inyanga Magagula was killed by the community after they accused him of giving the Casanova gang muthi to use against the community.

Last Friday the gang was celebrating what they called Magagula Day and terrified school children throughout the area hid in their homes, fearing to be sacrificed.

Residents told Daily Sun: "They vowed to kill on that day. Many pupils and creche children were locked up by their parents at home."

Resident Fezeka Jondo said they are scared even when they are in their homes.

"We lock ourselves up but we don't know where they are going to strike," said Fezeka.

He said cops arrest the gang members but the next day they are back on the streets.

"Why can't they take them to a place of safety instead of just letting them go?" he said.

Daily Sun spoke to the family of Andile Bulwana (17), who was allegedly stabbed to death by the gang on Friday.

His mother Grace said her son was coming from his friend's 21st birthday party with friends when they stumbled on the gang.

"Andile was stabbed in the heart and died in hospital," she said.

"While on the way to the hospital he spoke about a man named PK who stabbed him, but so far no one has been arrested."

Daily Sun also heard that four Ethiopians and Pakistani businessman, Mokonin Kalibso were stabbed by the same gang and are fighting for their lives in hospital.

The SunTeam spoke to Ayeye Shaka, whose brother was allegedly stabbed by eight members of the gang in the shop.

"They stabbed him three times under his heart. He is in a critical condition," said Ayeye.

He said the gang also robbed them and they had to buy new stock.

"We are not safe. We wish cops could do something."

He confirmed that two Ethiopians and one Pakistani businessman was stabbed on the same day his brother was stabbed.

Daily Sun approached a number of Casanova members but they threatened the team with violence and ran away.

Constable Ntombizonke Dyosini, spokeswoman for Khutsong cop shop, said that cops are patrolling in the township. She said nobody has been arrested as the cops are still investigating.

See the Daily Sun mobi site for more on this and other stories....

 

The Daily Sun is South Africa's largest daily newspaper with an average circulation of 274 165 (Audit Bureau of Circulations 2nd Quarter 2014) and a readership of 5.7m (as per AMPS 2012ab). Its Facebook page can be accessed here. It can be followed on Twitter here. To find about advertising on the Daily Sun click here.

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