Frightened Ngcobo residents call on government to deploy more cops to fight crime
By TEMBILE SGQOLANA and SIKHO NTSHOBANE
Frightened Ngcobo residents and business owners have called on government to deploy more police officers to fight crime in their town following the gunning down of five police officers during the early hours of this morning.
A gang of robbers allegedly stormed in the Engcobo police station shot and killed five police officers.
A man believed to be a member of the South African Defence Force, who reportedly heard the gunshots and went to investigate, was also shot and killed.
Two police officers were wounded and were taken to Engcobo Hospital for treatment. Five other police officer who witnesses the incident are receiving trauma counselling.
This morning hundreds of residents lined up alongside the main street which was cordoned off as police crime scene experts combed the police station for clues.
But several residents interviewed by DispatchLIVE revealed that crime was rife in Ngcobo while lamenting the death of the five police members.
Spar Superspargs store manager Barry Howlett said his business had been hit by armed robbers late last year, resulting in the death of one person.
“This town has become a hotspot for armed robberies and crime in general. We need a strong police presence especially during the day.”
Another resident, Zandisile Xhokashe, whose own cousin is a police officer at the Ngcobo police station, said he had frantically rushed to town after hearing what had happened fearing for his cousin’s life.
“I am only breathing a sigh of relief now after discovering that he is safe but what happened hear was really painful.”
Zoleka Mthamo, on the other hand, said they wanted government to send soldiers to root out crime in the area.