Security company owner Mohammed “Varkie” Farouk.
Image: Supplied
The funeral for slain Overport security company owner Mohammed “Varkie” Farouk was held on Monday afternoon.
Farouk was shot multiple times at a park in East and Crescent streets in Overport on Sunday around 1.30pm.
The father of five succumbed to his injuries after being privately transported to the hospital.
A second person, who was also shot, died at the scene.
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza, a provincial police spokesperson, said a murder case was being investigated.
“Police were summoned to the scene and found one deceased male laying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds on his body. Police officers were further informed that the other person involved in the shooting incident had succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital. The circumstances which led to the shooting incident and subsequent death of the two individuals are still under investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Overport Ratepayers Association (ORA) have expressed concern over the incident and called for urgent police intervention on crime in the area.
Abdool Valodia, chairperson of the ORA, said the incident was “totally unacceptable”.
“A park should be a safe space for families, children, and residents to enjoy, not a site of violence and criminal activity. Such events erode the sense of safety and security that all residents of Overport deserve. Compounding this tragedy is the growing influx of homeless people and vagrants into our area alongside so-called car guards and drug traffickers who operate openly on our streets and in public spaces.
“These issues have significantly contributed to the persistently high crime rate in our ward, creating an environment of fear and lawlessness. Overport residents are tired of living with escalating violence, including gang-related activities and drug dealing that threaten daily life,” he said.
Valodia said the latest shooting highlighted the urgent need for immediate and sustained police intervention to restore law and order.
“We call on the South African Police Service, Community Police Forums, eThekwini Municipality, and relevant authorities to increase visible policing and patrols in high-risk areas, including public parks and streets around in the area. In addition, they need to address the influx of vagrants, unauthorised car guards, and drug trafficking through targeted operations and enforcement.
“The relevant stakeholders also need to prioritise resources to tackle the root causes of crime in our ward, including proper management of public spaces. Furthermore, they need to engage directly with community leaders and ratepayers to develop and implement effective crime prevention strategies. We also hope for swift investigations into the shooting and that there is justice,” he said.