ZIMBILI VILAKAZI
THE community of Bhamshela, north of Ndwedwe, is living in fear after some members of the notorious Inanda West Gang relocated to the area.
The relocation follows the killing of a 22-year-old gang leader and his 27-year-old accomplice last week in Cottonlands, Verulam, after an exchange of gunfire with members of the SAPS.
The almost 200-strong criminal gang has for many years been active and terrorised the communities of the INK area (Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu) in a spate of robberies, hijackings, murders, and rapes.
One of the residents of Bhamshela said some members of the gang arrived last weekend in the area.
"We know one of them because he's from the area. He arrived with three others, and they killed someone on Sunday," said the resident.
It is alleged the gang attacked the resident in the street, demanding a gun, which he didn't have.
Some of the residents went into the gang member's family home, as there were some eyewitnesses who saw him killing the resident.
On arrival, the gang member told the community that he would go get his gun, which caused the members of the community to disperse.
It is alleged the gang member had left the area after killing a person, before his return last weekend.
The community is worried about his return with some of the unknown hooligans, and their crime spree has already started.
The gang leader who was gunned down by the police is from Inanda Newtown C and was linked to many cases, including arson, intimidation, attempted murder, robbery, and ten murders.
At least ten of the murders he targeted members of the Inanda Community Policing Forum, and one on Mzwandile Mbambo (60), who was a member of the Ntuzuma Neighbourhood Watch in June.
Mbambo was shot while watching TV with his family.
Before the ring leader's killing by the police, he had escaped so many times. In one incident in Bester, six of his crew were gunned down in an exchange of gunfire with the police. In that incident some community members rejoiced, thinking he was one of those who died.
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