Tensions are in Westbury as residents fear for their lives after the shooting of an alleged notorious gang leader. This has led the City of Johannesburg councillors to warn scholar transport drivers to be careful around Noordgesig, Westbury, Eldorado Park and Riverlea as the gun violence continues. Alleged Fast Guns gang leader Keenen Sheldon Ebrahim was shot dead in Florida, west of Joburg, on Thursday afternoon. 

TENSION

Residents claim the situation is tense and people are afraid to leave their homes because they don't know who could be next. They say sometimes one wasn't even the target, but they were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. A resident that refused to be named fearing victimisation told ZiMoja that Keenan was very problematic in the community of Westbury. "He killed an innocent child last week, that family wasn't going to let him live. Many times, he has gotten away with these shootings but now somebody decided to teach him a lesson," she said. She added that revenge killings were becoming a norm in their community, but this doesn't mean they've accepted it. "Gang rivalries are getting worse by the day; innocent people get killed a lot and now you see we've been hearing gunshots since last night meaning more blood will be spilled. We really need help, we are not safe with our children, yet we have nowhere else to go, "she said.

HUNTING FOR SUSPECTS

Police say they are searching for the suspects who murdered Ebrahim. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that Ebrahim was shot in Florida on Thursday while driving on William Nicol Street. "The deceased was driving a white Mercedes-Benz when he was shot at by the suspects driving a Silver Jetta 6. It is alleged the deceased lost control of his vehicle and hit the pavement. Paramedics were called to the scene and took the victim to the nearest medical care centre where he was certified dead.' Masondo said a murder case was  opened and police appealed to seek the help of the community with  their investigation.

KEEPING WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAFE

Councillor Lucas Lefutso said that details were not clear, but he felt that it's important to highlight safety concerns in gang-ridden communities. "Westbury, Eldorado Park, Noordgesig and Riverlea Communities must be vigilant especially scholar transport drivers are urged to be on the lookout for the safety of the children," said Cllr Lefutso. He said women and children are the most vulnerable in these hostile communities." "They don't know how to fight back but always get caught up in danger. It's sad that they are growing up under such violent circumstances and might think it's a norm. This needs to come to an end," he said.