A bloody drug-war in Sydenham, Durban, has killed scores of people this year as the fight over turf between local gangs and their Cape Town rivals continues unabated.
But despite police efforts to engage with the community, no-one has come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
The latest killing saw an alleged Durban drug kingpin, who had close links with the notorious 28s gang boss George “Geweld” Thomas, shot and killed in broad daylight on Thursday.
Two independent sources confirmed to TimesLIVE Premium the identity of the victim, 51-year-old Ravi Chetty, a taxi owner who was known to be involved in underworld dealings.
Manhar Parshotam, founder of Dragon Protection Services, said his members responded to information of a shooting at about 11.40am on Randles Road.
“The shooting occurred outside our site, Lenmed Shifa Private Hospital. Members responded as well as our tactical team and noticed that a white Mercedes was shot at. Two people in the vehicle were shot and members as well as hospital staff administered assistance. Unfortunately one of the victims died. It is alleged that the shooting is related to the local gang war in Sydenham.”
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Chetty sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the body.
“The driver was fatally shot and one passenger sustained a gunshot wound on the right shoulder and was taken to hospital for medical attention. Other passengers managed to escape unharmed. The motive for the killing is unknown. Sydenham police are investigating a murder and attempted murder case.”
The community is aware of the progress that has been made in the fight against crime in the area, and despite engagement with them, no-one has come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
— Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo
According to witnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity, a white VW Polo had been driving on the side of the road before the driver made a U-turn and drove past Chetty’s vehicle, which had been parked on the side of the road.
High-calibre spent rounds were found at the scene, and a police source indicated an AK47 was likely to have been used.
Chetty sustained several gunshot wounds to his body.
A crime intelligence source said Chetty had close links to Geweld and was a known drug kingpin who operated in Sydenham.
Chetty has cheated death on at least two other occasions.
In 2015, he narrowly escaped death when gunman opened fire on his vehicle while he was travelling on Josiah Gumede Road, between Westville and Pinetown, west of Durban.
Dash cam footage of the incident was posted online.
In November 2011, Chetty was shot 13 times at close range in the Suncoast Casino parking lot.
At the time, police said three suspects, all in possession of 9mm pistols, were nabbed by security guards.
Two of the men were subsequently sentenced in the Durban regional court for attempted murder, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Ngcobo said police relied heavily on the community for information to crack down on the masterminds behind the killings.
“The SAPS is gathering information regarding the suspects involved in the killings. Police constantly conduct crime prevention duties and those found breaking the law are arrested. The community is aware of the progress that has been made in the fight against crime in the area, and despite engagement with them, no-one has come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.”
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