The members of the notorious criminal gang that has been terrorising residents of the townships in northern Durban have turned on each other in a deadly tussle following a leadership vacuum.
The West Gang, which is based in Inanda but also active in Ntuzuma and KwaMashu, lost its leader, Mnqobi Nzimande, three months ago when he died in an exchange of gunfire with the police in Cottonlands, Verulam.
Two months ago, Independent Media reported that the hoodlums had expanded their tentacles further north in Bhamshela near Appelsbosch, and there has been reported activity of the gang in Clermont, west of Durban.
The gang gained infamy for terrorising the community committing various crimes from armed robbery, theft, house robberies, rape and murder.
Nzimande was gunned down after months of being on the wanted list of violent criminals by the police. It is alleged that he was linked to more than 20 crimes, including 10 murders, attempted murder, arson, intimidation, extortion and armed robbery.
According to a source, after Nzimande's dramatic funeral, where the public was forbidden to attend, a leadership battle ensued over who would now lead the violent gang.
"This battle took another step when a few weeks ago, we heard that they were gunning each other down, fighting for positions," said the source.
In the latest incident, two members of the gang were engaged in a gun battle which left both of them dead in Nhlungwane, Inanda, two weeks ago.
In mid-February, two members linked to the West Gang were gunned down in a shootout with the police in Nhlungwane. Two firearms were recovered, and a third suspect who didn't shoot at the police was arrested.
The founder of Ntuzuma Neighbourhood Watch, Andile Jali, confirmed the leadership battle.
He said they found out about the shooting incidents when they were in a crime-fighting meeting at Inanda police station.
"We were told that the police are off to a crime scene where members of the West gang had killed each other," said Jali.
He said they haven't established another reason other than a leadership tussle between gang members following Nzimande's death.
"Now it's reported there are many of them who see themselves as deserving of the leadership position," said Jali, whose crime-fighting organisation has expanded to other townships.
Jali said the leadership tussle has forced the group to be spread across different places, as there's growing animosity among them.
He said they've heard of other shootings between the gang members besides the Nhlungwane incident.
KwaZulu-Natal Saps spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Inanda police were investigating two murder cases following a shooting incident between two men.