Crime in Jeffreys Bay has, according to many residents, has increased and lately gangs of youths armed with knives are running around terrorising and stabbing youths and adults and even police officers in Jeffreys Bay.
“We are being held hostage by the villains in the once peaceful Jeffreys Bay,” a mother of a murdered 16 year-old son, said.
The murder of her grade nine pupil at Jeffreys Bay Academic High School, Lundriano Holloway, has upset the family members. They have had no closure and are still awaiting justice.
Lundriano was stabbed to death on 29 June, by a group of young men wielding knives. The murderers are not behind bars, but are still at large.
Although SAPS detectives arrested six youths, aged between 17-22 years-old, for murder and attempted murder, they were later released. When they appeared in the Humansdorp Magistrates Court at the beginning of this month of July there was insufficient evidence to convict them and the case was put on hold pending further investigation. No further evidence has emerged and no other arrests have been made.
The mother, Latoya Holloway, 35, said her son Lundriano attended a party to celebrate the matric farewell party of a student of Jeffreys Bay Comprehensive High School at his home in Ocean View on 29 June.
Later that night his friends brought her the dreadful news that her son had been stabbed by a gang.
She also related that an off-duty policeman was also stabbed later the same night by a gang of men who were wielding knives. It is thought the same gang was responsible for both these stabbing incidents, and others.
According a police spokesperson, Captain Marius McCarthy they are still investigating murder of Lundriano. “We can confirm that a 16 year-old boy was stabbed to death.
“It is also alleged that an off-duty police officer, was stabbed and transported to hospital and later discharged. It is also further alleged that there was a fight between two groups, profiled by SAPS as ‘gangs operating in Jeffrey’s Bay area’.
“The case against the six suspects that was brought before the Humansdorp Magistrate’s court is ongoing and the reason for withdrawal at first appearance forms part of the investigation.”
St Francis Chronicle 