Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned the brutal murder of the five night patrollers at the Marry Me Informal Settlement, in Soshanguve, stating the victims were dedicated to tackling crime and improving community safety.
Mchunu expressed his sorrow and outrage over the recent attack on community-based patrollers at the area, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals and the hospitalisation of eight others.
This attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, brings the total number of patrollers killed in Soshanguve to five - as confirmed by Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, who visited the victims' families on Sunday.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the cold-blooded murders and criminality that took place in Marry Me,” Mchunu said.
“These unarmed members of the community were committed against crime and improving the safety of their community.”
He commended the patrollers for taking a stand against crime, calling it the right thing to do.
“We commend the swift action of the police in initiating a manhunt for those responsible and urge them to be vigilant and thorough in their investigations.
“We will not allow such criminality to undermine the safety of our communities,” he said.
Mchunu called on the residents in the informal settlement and surrounding areas to cooperate with the police and provide any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
“The police are relying on your cooperation to ensure justice is served and those responsible are brought to account.”
Lesufi revealed that police investigations have uncovered four groups managing payments in the area, one for safety, one for water, one for electricity, and another one which opposes the collection of the money.
“Police have told me that a significant amount of money is being collected monthly at the informal settlement, with residents being forced to pay for services.”
Lesufi also suggested that the attack may be linked to an extortion scheme and fighting for control over the businesses.
“I have got detailed information, including people who are in prison, but they are still coordinating activities outside prison, with the ringleaders overseeing the operations in this community,” he said.
Residents said they pay R350 for illegal electricity, R50 for water and another R50 for night patrollers to ensure their safety.
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