The Cape Town Minstrel community is in mourning after Imaan Syms, 30, was fatally shot in Woodstock.
Image: Facebook
Police are investigating the murder of the daughter of a well-known minstrel fraternity member and team owner of D Six Hanover Park Minstrels, who was pregnant when she came under fire from gunmen in Woodstock.
It is understood Imaan Syms, 30, was shot and killed in Sussex Street, Woodstock, on Monday.
Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said: “Woodstock police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Monday night in Sussex Street and upon arrival on the scene they found the body of a 30-year- old female who sustained gunshot wounds to her body. According to reports the victim was approached by an unknown suspect who shot her before fleeing the scene. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is yet to be determined.”
According to reports on social media, Syms is the daughter of Ziyaad Williams, a prominent figure in the minstrel fraternity who is the owner of D Six Hanover Park Minstrels.
Williams is also well-known for chauffeuring matriculants for their matric dance using vintage cars.
The Cape Argus tried to reach Williams on Tuesday but he did not respond.
Messages of condolences and shock have since gone viral on social media.
One person wrote: “It’s not goodbye my Imaan it’s see you soon. May Allah grant you the highest of ranks in junnah Ameen thumah Ameen."
Crime fighting organisation, Fight Against Crime, (FACSA) told the Cape Argus they could not comment as yet on the murder as there was much speculation on who the gunman was.
They said more than 30 shootings were recorded during their independent survey conducted since the weekend.
Nicholas Gotsell, MP and Select Committee for Security and Justice member said they were calling for an intervention nationally for gang related shootings and that there was a lack in senior management in the Anti-Gang Unit.
"The DA has written to the SAPS's Western Cape Provincial Commissioner in response to a continuing capacitation crisis at the Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit, amid notable lack of will from senior management," said Gotsell.
"The DA sees this action as a matter of last resort, after continuous engagement - but if this last resort is ignored, we will be forced to use the pull powers of Parliament to ensure that the Unit is held to account to become fully operational. The Unit was launched in 2018, in response to mass gang violence, yet its operations have deteriorated, which the DA uncovered in a recent unannounced oversight inspection.
Cape Argus
