Image Source: Karibu
Local – The tragedy which claimed the lives of several young people in Eldorado Park after gunfire erupted outside a mosque is a small part of a broader issue affecting the community at large, according to local activist Shaykh Shakir Baker.
Over the weekend, nine people were shot in a drive-by shooting outside a mosque in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg. Three of them, including two Grade 9 learners, died.
Although bullets pierced the mosque’s windows and door, the attack occurred after evening prayers, and no worshippers inside were harmed.
The activist described the shooting as part of a wider pattern of violence, stating that gun violence has become part of the norm and that the circulation of illegal guns in the area, especially amongst the youth, is fuelling a growing crisis.
He also raised concerns about the rise in gang activity and how easy access to firearms has emboldened criminal elements, turning Eldorado Park into a space where children are being recruited into gangs and exposed to violence from an early age.
“We’re not saying that our children are innocent. The children in this community have been gullible to gangs; they have been involved in Uber robberies, and we are seeing that the gun violence has escalated to the extent that the shooting of Saturday night is but one of the many shootings that did take place over the weekend,” he said.
Baker stressed that although the shooting occurred outside the mosque, there is no indication that the place of worship was the intended target. He confirmed that no congregants were harmed and that prayers have continued as normal.
Systemic Failures Fueling the Crisis
Like many underprivileged communities across the country where crime is rampant and steadily increasing, Baker attributed the violence to deep-rooted systemic failures. He said the government and local policing structures have failed the people, adding that unemployment and poverty have become a daily reality.
“Gangsterism becomes a scapegoat,” he explained. He warned that children as young as 10 are being recruited into gangs, creating a climate where “people are scared to walk in their streets.”
However, in this particular incident, he confirmed that SAPS was actively investigating the shooting, and he urged that anyone with information come forward and assist the police.
“We can pray and observe that, inshallah, justice will prevail and that we should, to a large extent, ensure we pray for the safety of our children,” he said.
Baker stressed that meaningful change would require the full support of the community. “Many people fear to come to Eldorado Park,” he said, “but let me assure you that with all these things that are happening, visitors aren’t targeted. It is more the crime gangs or Uber.”
He explained that while the violence stems from specific criminal networks, its impact disrupts the broader community. Essential services, such as metered taxis, often avoid the area due to safety concerns, further isolating residents.
