Key Points
- Five community patrollers were killed in Soshanguve’s Marry Me informal settlement.
- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemns the killings and calls for swift justice.
- Police are investigating the attack, with a case of murder and attempted murder opened.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has condemned the brutal killing of five community safety patrollers in Soshanguve’s Marry Me informal settlement.
The horrific incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, left the community in shock.
According to police reports, the patrollers were gunned down by unknown assailants, pelted with rocks, and partially burned.
A tragic event for the community
The killings took place on April 20, 2024, when a group of patrollers was targeted while on duty. Four of them died at the scene, while eight others suffered gunshot wounds.
The number of fatalities later rose to five after one of the injured victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
Premier Lesufi visited the community and expressed his outrage at the crime. He addressed the residents and reassured them that the police were actively working to identify the perpetrators.
Police reports revealed that the altercation began when the patrollers, who were patrolling the area, encountered a group of five individuals.
A quarrel ensued, which tragically led to the deadly violence. Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili, confirmed the incident and stated that the investigation was ongoing.
A case of four counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder has been opened.
Lesufi demands justice
Premier Lesufi condemned the brutal nature of the attack, emphasizing that there was no excuse for such violence.
“There is no excuse to kill people in that brutal manner—throwing rocks at them and setting them on fire. This heartless behavior must be met with justice,” he said.
Lesufi gave the police full permission to take necessary action against the perpetrators, including the use of force if required to bring them to justice.
He also mentioned that SAPS detectives had already been dispatched to track down the alleged criminals within 72 hours.
During his address, Lesufi pointed out that he had been briefed by the police, who had gathered vital information on the suspects involved.
Community and political reactions
Local councillor Tshepo Malefane expressed concern over the delay in police response. He claimed that the police had been called before the incident, but they were delayed due to a lack of vehicles. This delay, he argued, contributed to the tragic outcome.
The families of the deceased patrollers are devastated by the loss of their loved ones. One of the victims, Andries Tlhabane, a 43-year-old father of two, was remembered by his nephew, Bheki Tlhabane.
“I woke up to the news that people had been shot and killed. When I went to my uncle’s place, I found it locked. After gathering that he had passed away, I informed our relatives,” Bheki shared.
Political leaders, including ANC Tshwane regional secretary George Matjila, have called on the government to take stronger action against crime.
Matjila demanded that President Cyril Ramaphosa and law enforcement agencies deploy all necessary resources to bring the criminals to justice and restore order in the community.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng also raised concerns about the safety of community patrollers, who play a crucial role in filling gaps left by the under-resourced police force.
“We cannot allow a situation where community members who step up to fill the gaps left by an under-resourced police force are murdered in such a brutal manner,” the DA stated.
They called for increased collaboration between the Tshwane Metro Police Department and SAPS to combat the rising crime.
Community’s struggle with crime
The tragic attack on the community safety patrollers has exposed the vulnerability of the Marry Me informal settlement.
Residents have been dealing with increasing crime, including attacks by illegal immigrants entering homes and stealing appliances.
The community’s safety is at risk, and there are mounting calls for stronger action from both local and national authorities to address these concerns.
Premier Lesufi pledged to return to the community on Wednesday to further engage with residents and discuss solutions to the security issues they face.
As the investigation continues, the people of Soshanguve hope for swift justice and the end of the violence that has plagued their neighborhood.
