[2]: 279  The suburb was established in May 1918 by the Johannesburg Town Council as an area for black residents and called it Newlands Location.

[3][4] As one report explained‘The fatal shooting was believed to be part of an ongoing war between rival gangs, who were importing Cape Town hitmen to do their killing.

At stake was a lucrative drug trade that includes Cat, cheap heroin, crack cocaine and pure cocaine.’[5] Protests flared up the day after Petersen’s killing, with protestors vowing ‘to shut down the area to mourn her death and [they] called on government to deploy the army to clean up the drug-ridden area’.

[5][7] The protests continued for several days, with protestors blocking roads and torching a bus station.

[8] On 2 October 2018, police minister Bheki Cele visited Westbury to engage with residents.

[14][15] Prominent gangs in the area - the Fast Guns and Varados - have a significant influence on everyday life.