Bayview and Mobeni Heights in Chatsworth, Durban were scenes of tragic shootings earlier today, as AMAWELE Emergency Services responded to two separate incidents that left two men dead.

According to Claude Subramoney, owner of AMAWELE Emergency Services, medics were first called to Summerfield Road in Bayview, where a male barber was shot.

“Medics arrived within minutes, the male was assessed, sadly he had no signs of life and was declared deceased on scene from a gunshot wound,” Subramoney said. He added that all rollplayers were on site, including AMAWELE RV07, RV08, A07, PROSECURE, BLUE ARO, and PT Tactical K9, describing the scene as an “active crime scene.”

Mobeni Heights shooting scene (Picture: Claude Subramoney)

Subramoney explained that the suspect then continued his rampage to another location in Mobeni Heights.

“AMAWELE Emergency Services first on scene, another male had been shot, sadly there was nothing more we could do for him and he was declared deceased on scene because of a gunshot wound to the head,” he said, noting that all rollplayers, including AMAWELE RV07, A07, ALS SOX A10, PT Tactical K9, BLUE Security, and PROSECURE, responded promptly.

He further clarified the sequence of events, “AMAWELE Emergency Services was called out by multiple residents on Summerfield Road in the Bayview area for a shooting. Medics arrived on scene within minutes to a barbershop where an Indian male in his 40s was shot by the alleged known suspect. He was assessed and sadly there was nothing more we could do for him and he was declared deceased on scene from a gunshot wound to the head. The same suspect continued on his rampage to his premises where he lives and shot the garden guy in his 40s that works for them. AMAWELE medics arrived on that scene in Fiona Street in Mobeni Heights. The male was assessed and sadly he also had no signs of life and declared deceased on scene from a gunshot wound to the head.”

Both scenes remain active crime scenes as law enforcement continues their investigations.

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The number of stray animals in Chatsworth continues to rise, raising concerns about animal welfare and community safety.

Stray dogs and cats are becoming a growing concern in Chatsworth. Residents express their sadness over the increasing number of stray animals seen on the road.

Joyce Subramoney, a Chatworth resident, said that she often sees cats and kittens that are thin and hungry.

“It’s so sad that there are so many stray animals. I see so many dogs and cats, they’re so thin. Sometimes I leave some bread and milk in a bowl for them to eat, or I buy some canned food. Even with the dogs, you can see their bones; it is way too sad. I always try to either leave food or water. Something needs to be done to help these animals. Where are they supposed to find shelter? Sometimes the weather gets so bad, and sometimes these animals get knocked by cars, nobody worries. My heart breaks,” she said.

Metro Police officer Denzil Pillay, who works in the Animal Nuisance Division, said the unit does not often receive complaints about stray animals.

“Not very often do we receive complaints. However, when we do, we refer the complainant to SPCA so prompt action can be taken,” he said. “This complaint will be investigated by the appropriate officer who deals with such matters and/or seek the assistance of the SPCA.”

Pillay said the main causes behind the growing number of stray animals are “neglect or animals being abandoned by the owners.” He added that “educating the owners through social media” and “public meetings” could help address the problem.

Tanya Fleischer, marketing manager at the Durban and Coast SPCA, said the organisation cannot give specific figures for just the Chatsworth area but confirmed that stray animals face serious risks.

“Stray animals cause a risk as they could harm themselves or others. Car accidents/ being run over, biting people, being abused by people, etc.,” she said.

Fleischer said the SPCA “collects and shelters stray animals” and advised that residents should not engage with stray animals directly. Anyone needing assistance can call the SPCA on 031 579 6501 during office hours or 083 212 6103 after hours.

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Bottlebrush informal settlement residents protest over ongoing water supply issues.

Residents from the Bottlebrush informal settlement in Chatsworth took to the streets early this morning to demand access to water. The protest occurred at the corner of Chatsglen on-ramp to Higginson Highway eastbound and the entrance to the Shallcross link road, where roads were blocked and motorists were forced to use alternative routes to get to work.

Shallcross community activist, Judah Ben Hur, explains how residents’ frustration grows when they are not heard.

“Water is a need; it is the bare essential human right that people have. But there needs to be fairness in how this happens. The reason people are getting to the streets is because they don’t have an opportunity to present their frustrations to the municipality. Our ward councillors are not engaging with the people, and there’s no opportunity for their voices to be heard. That frustration ends up on the street,” he said.

Metro Police Captain Logan Pillay, who oversaw the protest, explained that illegal connections have worsened the crisis, and the area has been struggling for months.

“The informal settlement tapped into water lines illegally, supplying over 500 homes. These connections leak, wasting water, and the reservoirs run dry. The municipality cut off the illegal supply to stabilise water for the formal areas,” said Pillay.

This protest brings to light the urgent need for better communication between residents and the municipality to prevent frustrations from entering the streets.

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The people of Chatsworth in Durban say their neighbourhood no longer feels like home. Piles of rubbish are being dumped on vacant land and sidewalks, and residents are fed up with the dirt, the smell, and the health risks.

For months, illegal dumping has turned once-tidy streets into eyesores. Elderly resident Johnson Subramoney says what hurts most is watching the community he grew up in lose its pride.

“They just come with trucks and dump and dump,” Subramoney said. “We are old now; we can’t bear living like this. When we were younger, Chatsworth was clean and safe. Now we can’t even sit outside. The flies, maggots, and rats are everywhere. The smell makes us sick, and there’s nothing we can do.”

Ward councillor Tony Govender has appealed to residents to use proper waste disposal services instead of treating open spaces as rubbish sites. “People are throwing anything and everything into open areas, sidewalks, and verges. We’re pleading with them—please don’t dump.”

The authorities say they are cracking down. eThekwini Municipality law enforcement officer Don Baijnath warned that illegal dumping is a serious offence. “The fine for illegal dumping is R5,000,” he said.

Govender added that stronger action is needed: “Authorities must crack the whip and hold these individuals accountable. The only way forward is through cooperation between communities, municipal officials, and law enforcement.”

But for now, residents say the problem shows no sign of going away, leaving many in Chatsworth waiting anxiously for real and lasting solutions.

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According to authorities, the suspects face multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, business robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and malicious damage to property. The incident took place on Lenny Naidu Drive on Sunday morning.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene of the shooting. A paramedic team arrived to find that a robbery had occurred at a local store. A security officer, believed to be in his forties, had attempted to intervene when he was shot in the chest. Despite efforts to save him, he was declared dead on the scene.

The violence didn’t end there. Two elderly bystanders were also injured when their vehicle was struck in the crossfire. They were treated and transported to a private hospital for further care.

The suspects were apprehended shortly after fleeing the scene.

Tributes have poured in for the fallen officer, Vikesh Maniram, who served with One Stop Group. Colleagues and community members described him as brave, dedicated, and deeply committed to protecting others.

“He wasn’t just a security officer; he was a person of integrity who gave his all,” one colleague shared. “His sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Authorities confirmed the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

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