Cape Town - Elsies River residents are reeling after a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed while sleeping in his bed.
The incident happened on Thursday afternoon when two alleged gangsters ran into Elroy Franke's home and murdered him.
Community leaders said this was part of the ongoing gang violence in the area.
Speaking anonymously, a resident told the Weekend Argus that teenagers were not safe.
“Teenage boys have ended up dropping out of school out of fear for gangsters. When they go to school they are attacked by gang members who hang around the schools.
“In this case, the teenager decided to leave school because he was scared and now the gangsters have gone into his home, his safe space and they killed him. It's such a shame because he lost his mom to cancer and now he had to die like this.”
The woman said this was the fourth murder in just four days. On Sunday, three people were gunned down in 12th Avenue.
“Thursday's shooting happened just a few streets away on 15th Avenue. Leonsdale needs urgent help. Most kids dropped out of school due to them fearing for their lives.
“We struggle with smash and grabs daily, every minute of every day. There is no police visibility. There are only two police vans to cover the entire area. However, you find them sitting at the BP garage eating pies, making jokes. They refuse to come into the area.
“The station commander sits alone in the gangland trying to prevent these killings.
“His team in blue are no good. All they do is abuse the vulnerable and ones who can't fight back. I believe SAPS are the biggest problem in Elsies River.”
The community leader said they were planning to have a peace march this afternoon at 1pm.
“We need to end this gang violence and we want people to stand up against it.”
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said Elsies River officers opened a murder docket for further investigation following a shooting incident on Thursday, which claimed the life of the 15-year-old male at a house on 15th Avenue, Leonsdale, Elsies River.
The police appeal to anyone with information to please contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za