Cape Town – A pregnant 30-year-old woman, Imaan Syms, was tragically shot and killed outside her home in Sussex Street, Woodstock, on Monday night. The brutal murder has sent shockwaves through the usually quiet community, leaving residents reeling in disbelief.
Imaan Syms was the daughter of Ziyaad Williams, a well-known figure in the minstrel community and the owner of the Original D6 Hanover Minstrels troupe. Tributes have been pouring in online for the young woman, who was believed to be expecting a child.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the shooting, stating that Woodstock police are investigating a case of murder.
"Woodstock police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Monday night in Sussex Street, Woodstock and upon arrival on the scene they found the body of a 30-year-old female who sustained gunshot wounds to her body,” Twigg reported.
According to police reports, the victim was approached by an unknown suspect who opened fire before fleeing the scene. Medical personnel declared her dead at the scene. The motive for the attack remains unknown.
Gary Adams from the Woodstock Community Policing Forum (CPF) expressed his shock and concern over the incident, emphasising that Sussex Street is typically a peaceful area.
Adams explained: “There are not any known gangs or gang activities in Sussex Street. The reason for the shooting and murder is still unknown."
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the shooter fleeing on foot. "All we know is there were eyewitnesses who claimed that the person was on foot and said individual (shooter) ran down Sussex Street towards Lower Main Road and turned left like going back to town,” Adams added.
The CPF is unsure whether a getaway vehicle was involved. "We are not sure if there was a vehicle waiting for the person, the investigation will reveal that.”
Details surrounding the moments leading up to the shooting have also emerged. “The intel we received is that she was going into the house, her father had dropped her at the house and drove off and as she was walking into the house, this guy came up to the gate, called her, she (turned around to approach him) and he shot her,” Adams stated.
The community has been deeply affected by the violence. “She was shot quite a few times. A certain amount of cartridges was found (on the scene) it doesn’t mean that they all hit her but she was declared dead on the scene by paramedics. The community says that she was shot 17 times.”
Community activist Shamiel Abbs recounted hearing the gunshots as he was leaving the mosque.
Abbs added: “We heard the shots and when we got to the scene, the lady was lying in the doorway and we heard afterwards she was pregnant.”
The incident has shattered the sense of security in Woodstock. “Woodstock is an extremely quiet neighbourhood and even safe to walk at night, so we are still trying to fathom and understand what happened,” Abbs lamented.
The family, including her father Ziyaad Williams, has declined to comment on the tragedy.
Police are appealing to the public for assistance in solving this crime. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
