Pretoria – A patroller injured in the deadly confrontation at Mary Me informal settlement, Soshanguve in Tshwane, has died in hospital.
The death of one of the eight injured patrollers – announced on Sunday, (23 March 2025), brought to five the number of patrollers killed at the weekend.
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Reports indicate that around 3:00 AM, on Saturday, (22 March 2025), a group of community patrollers encountered five individuals on the street, leading to a confrontation that resulted in four deaths and eight injuries.
The deceased were found with gunshot wounds, and their bodies were partially burnt.
Also, on Sunday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi visited Soshanguve and met the families of the slain volunteer patrollers.
Premier Panyaza said witnesses had come forward and named some of the suspects.
He said the police would soon make a breakthrough in the case.
Meanwhile, political parties including the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have expressed their outrage at the murders of the volunteer patrollers.
The ANC said it was, “incensed by the brutal killing of and the inflicting of grievous bodily harm on community safety patrollers in the informal settlement of Marry Me, in Soshanguve South”.
The ANC added: “This heinous act of barbarism is indicative of the depth of the malaise that has gripped our communities.
“Marauding criminal gangs are taking over our streets and they have become a law unto themselves.
“It is clear that those who committed this terrible criminal act intended to strike fear into the hearts and minds of not only the people of the informal settlement of Marry Me in Soshanguve South but also of communities across the City”.
The ANC demanded action to restore calm, law, and order in communities.
“We call on the President to unleash all security apparatus of government against criminals and violent crimes,” the ANC said.
“We ask for the swift arrest of the perpetrators of this heartless crime.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased community safety patrollers.
“We also wish the injured community safety patrollers a speedy recovery.”
The DA called on the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to intensify their collaboration to combat crime.
“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 said.
“If patrollers are targeted, it will discourage community involvement, making it even easier for criminals to terrorise residents.”
The DA said the level of violence, with victims not only shot but also partially burned, is alarming and highlights the urgent need for stronger crime prevention measures.
The DA extended its “deepest condolences” to the families of the community patrollers who tragically lost their lives.
“We also wish a full recovery to those who were injured in this horrific attack,” the DA said.
“A DA Gauteng-led provincial government will ensure that all police stations are equipped with the resources needed to ensure community safety.
“We will continue to monitor this case closely and push for more vigorous policing efforts to restore law and order in Soshanguve and beyond.”
The EFF said it was “outraged by the brutal killing of four community patrollers in Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve on 22 March 2025”.
The EFF added: “The senseless murder of these community activists, who dedicated their lives to safeguarding their neighborhood, is a tragic loss and a severe blow to the safety and security of the people of Soshanguve.”
The EFF said it was deeply concerned about the slow and inadequate response from the Soshanguve Police to this heinous incident.
The EFF said it continues to demand a coordinated and intensified response from both SAPS and TMPD to combat crime in Soshanguve.
“We stand in full solidarity with the families of the deceased and the entire community of Soshanguve during this difficult time,” the EFF said.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and reaffirm our commitment to fighting for justice and safety for all our communities.”
