PE tavern owners fearful to speak out following triple slaying

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Fearful tavern owners in New Brighton refused to speak out openly at a meeting held on Wednesday with police officials in Port Elizabeth.

The meeting followed Monday night's triple slaying at Chippa's Tavern, in which four other people were also critically wounded when a lone gunman opened fire on patrons.

Speaking at Nangoza Jebe Hall, tavern owners said that they feared for their lives and that speaking out could make them targets.

They also said that there is not enough police visibility in the area.

AlgoaFM News spoke to tavern two tavern owners who chose to remain anonymous.

"We have no security as tavern owners. You will find the people who do this are the outsiders not our customers. As owners we are not safe and our customers are not safe.We don't know what to do."

"These people are on facebook and social media. They communicate whatever they do through their social networks. I feel that police should use intelligence services to track these people through their phones to find them."

Meanwhile, Eastern Cape Deputy police Commissioner, Zamuthango Mki urged the community to speak out.

Mki said that a permanent solution needed to be found, adding that that criminals cannot rule the area.

Police will hold a follow up meeting next week with the tavern owners.