Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Premier Panyaza Lesufi have visited grieving families, after six patrollers were killed early Saturday morning at the Marry Me Informal Settlement.
The devastating event took place in the early hours, with reports indicating that the patrollers, who were instrumental in keeping their neighborhood safe, were ambushed by assailants believed to be engaged in criminal activities.
During the visit, Mchunu confirmed that a Zimbabwean national had been arrested in connection with the murders, bringing a glimmer of hope to the grieving community.
“We want to invite the people of Soshanguve to take a stand against crime and to assist us. These individuals were performing a role in combating crime when they were ruthlessly attacked by suspected criminals,” he stated.
Mchunu also disclosed that in addition to the arrest, two other suspects are currently being interrogated, with hopes that this investigation will lead to further arrests.
“We are happy at this stage that the briefing that we got from police is that one person has been identified and arrested. There is a suspect. And two are being questioned as we speak. And we are hoping that will yield positive results. But we are also very much in the heels of others because there was an estimate of at least five people. And we want them to be arrested and to face the consequences of what they did,” Mchunu said.
He further outlined that enhanced police resources are being deployed to Soshanguve, additional personnel and vehicles are being provided, and ongoing operations are aimed at restoring peace to the area.
“And of course, we have increased resources for the police here in Soshanguve: more personnel and vehicles. And other things that we are still dealing with. And other factors that our premier spoke about. We are keen on cleaning Soshanguve.”
Lesufi echoed Mchunu's commitment and acknowledged the community's growing concerns regarding safety. He revealed a haunting reminder of the escalating violence, referencing a similar incident that occurred just three weeks prior, where a woman was viciously killed in a nearby shack.
According to community leaders, this tragic event has ignited anger and prompted local residents to take proactive measures by establishing patrol teams to monitor their surroundings.
“The community is deeply affected by these events. They feel the need to improve their safety and challenge the increasing crime rate," Lesufi commented.
“We are also told that there is someone who the police believe might also be responsible for some of the syndicates that are here in the community. So all of that is being investigated. This community is going through many difficulties,” he added, highlighting the multifaceted challenges faced by the community.
Saturday Star
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