Image Source: Protection Web
Local – The Ministry of Police, together with the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, will be in Soshanguve today in response to the tragic attack that claimed the lives of five community patrollers. The deadly incident took place in the early hours of 22 March 2025 in the Marry Me Informal Settlement.
Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi confirmed that Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu will also meet with affected families to offer support and condolences.
“The Minister of Police will receive a briefing on the ongoing investigations and response efforts from the Provincial Commissioner,” Mogotsi said.
Yesterday, Minister Mchunu commended the bravery of the community-based patrollers and denounced the violence that left four people dead at the scene and eight others hospitalised. One of the injured later died in hospital, bringing the total number of deaths to five.
He described the attack as a “cold-blooded” and unacceptable act of criminality, expressing outrage at the senseless violence.
According to the Ministry, police responded to the scene around 06:00 on Saturday. They discovered the bodies of four individuals with gunshot wounds. The victims had also been partially burned.
Preliminary investigations suggest that five unidentified individuals approached the patrollers at around 03:00. A confrontation followed and quickly escalated into violence, leaving several dead and others severely injured.
In the wake of the tragedy, Minister Mchunu honoured the victims’ commitment to their community and praised their courage in the fight against crime.
“These unarmed members of the community were committed against crime and improving the safety of their community,” he said. “It was remarkable that they took a stand against crime, and that is the right thing to do.”
He also commended the swift response by police, noting that a manhunt for the suspects had already begun. Mchunu vowed that such acts of violence would not be allowed to threaten the safety of communities.
“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.”
The Minister called on residents of Marry Me and surrounding areas to assist police by coming forward with any information that could help identify those behind the attack.
“The police are relying on your cooperation to ensure justice is served and those responsible are brought to account,” he added.
