While police minister Bheki Cele said they had identified five suspects involved in the tavern mass shooting in Soweto, an investigator has revealed that they were yet to start their work while two patrons say their statements have not been taken.
A source close to the investigation said by 5pm on Monday police had not established who was behind Sunday's shooting at Mdlalose's Tavern in Nomzamo, Orlando East, Soweto.
The source adds that police have not collected any statements from survivors and possible witnesses and that would only be done from Tuesday.
On Monday Sowetan spoke to two men who were at the tavern when 15 people were gunned down and both survivors said they have not been contacted by police.
“I have not spoken with the police. I am even afraid to go to the nearest police station to inform them that I was inside that tavern when the shooting occurred.
“I fear for my life,” said *Andile, who said he had to hide under a pool table when the shooting occurred.
However, Cele told the community during a meeting that progress has been made over the past two days.
Cele said 137 AK-47 cartridges were collected at the scene and police are hot on the heels of five possible suspects.
“The suspicion is that there were three rifles that were among those five people that were identified. It's a group of people that we believe will give us the motive for the killing as soon as we find them,” said Cele.
His spokesperson Lirandzu Themba also insisted that suspects were identified.
“That is all part of investigations which we cannot share with the public at this point. The collection of statements also forms part of investigations,” responded Themba.
Greater Orlando community policing forum (CPF) chairperson Dumisani Twala said of the 15 patrons who were killed, only eight have been positively identified by their families.
Twala said the CPF is working closely with the government to locate the families of all those that were murdered.
He said a meeting was scheduled with the owner of the tavern on Monday. But by the afternoon it had not materialised as the owner, who was said to be in KwaZulu-Natal when the incident happened, had not arrived back in the area.
“Information from my seniors is that he is willing to assist the police in this matter,” said Twala.
Mdlalose's Tavern manager Nyama Mdlalose said the massacre was not directed at the business.
He said he had no clue why their business was targeted.
“We have other businesses outside Orlando and we have never had any problems. The Mdlalose family is not fighting with anyone. We have never received any threats or suspected that our business would be attacked.
“Whoever came to our tavern on Sunday wanted to kill people and we don't know the motive for the killing,” said Mdlalose, who was at the tavern when the murders occurred.
He was behind the counter when the armed men walked in, and was saved by a brick wall.
Eight people are still receiving care at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Cele has deployed additional resources and members of the tactical response team, better known as Amabherete, to the affected community.
The department did not give a clear indication of how many police members would be sent to the area or how long they would be stationed there.
“They will go door-to-door searching for guns. Those in possession of unlicensed guns ... it's best they hand them in now because Amabherete are coming for them,” said Cele.
Orlando residents and businesses are pleased with the deployment.
Yanga Mdlelwa, who owns Tap House Tavern that is located about five minutes away from Mdlalose's Tavern, said the availability of unlicensed firearms in the area is a huge concern.
“A day will never end without the sound of gunshots in this area. E-hailing services don't even drive here because of the ongoing crime and shootings we witness every day,” he said.
After Sunday's deadly shooting, Mdlelwa said he now only sells takeaways.
“I have decided to sell takeaways for the next two weeks. I want to see if the deployed police will bring any changes. For now I am scared of having customers sitting in,” said Mdlelwa.
Member of the CPF are expected to visit the affected families on Tuesday.
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