This follows after two people were recently killed in the area in what the community fears as mounting gang violence.

Residents say they are living in fear as a result of gangster activities and battles which have left the community in the area in a completely chaotic state.

Police spokesperson, Yanga Ngcukana, however, says the recent killing of two people has nothing to do with gangsterism but was a group of men who earlier had a fight and were allegedly seeking revenge.

The residents who spoke to OFM News on condition of anonymity say they fear for their lives as their movements are now restricted.

One resident says it is now difficult to go to the shops after sunset because she is scared she might be attacked and killed by the gang members.

Another resident says he is adamant that gangsterism is brewing in Zastron.

He says they have noticed a number of young boys who are into drugs and reckons they are the ones who are terrorising the communities.

Gang-related violence has been rife in the province for a number of years now.

However, police say they were on the ground and have reduced the number of incidents in many areas, including Botshabelo, which many believe was the hub of gangsterism in the Free State.

On April 1, seven members of the notorious gang “Born to Kill” (BTK) were convicted and sentenced to at least 18 years each for murder and additional sentences on separate charges, including house robbery, the possession of a firearm, and the illegal possession of ammunition.

The Acting Free State Provincial Commissioner, Solly Lesia, earlier this year, lauded police for the progress made in the province’s ongoing war on gang-related crimes.

This was after notable success was achieved in the province’s fight against gangs terrorising the communities of Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu.

In March 2019, OFM News reported that six members of the same gang – BTK – were sentenced to 145 years in prison collectively by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court.

Also in Thabong near Welkom, six people were arrested in connection with the alleged murder of a 20-year-old man, also believed to be a gang member.

Ngcukana says there is nothing that suggests that gang violence is brewing in Zastron. He says since the killings, they have arrested four suspects and three were released on bail. The fourth one was denied bail and they are all expected to appear in court on June 5 on murder charges.

OFM News/Michael Tlhakudi