Soshanguve
By Mpho Moloi
Soshanguve, Northern Pretoria – The number of community patrollers killed in Soshanguve has tragically risen to five, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed during a visit to the Marry Me informal settlement on Sunday. The patrollers were brutally attacked early Saturday morning while conducting their routine rounds. Lesufi, who met with the grieving families, assured the community that the police are working tirelessly to apprehend the suspects behind this horrific incident.
Deadly Attack Shocks Soshanguve Community
The fatal incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, 22 March 2025, in the Marry Me informal settlement, a densely populated area in Soshanguve, northern Pretoria. According to police reports, the community patrollers were on their regular patrol when they spotted a suspicious group of men on the street. When the patrollers approached to investigate, a quarrel broke out, quickly escalating into a violent confrontation.
The clash left four patrollers dead at the scene, their bodies partially burned and riddled with gunshot wounds. Eight others were seriously injured and rushed to nearby hospitals. Tragically, one of the injured patrollers succumbed to their wounds on Sunday, raising the death toll to five. Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that officers arrived at the scene around 06:00, where they discovered the gruesome aftermath of the attack.
The motive behind the killings remains unclear, with investigators still piecing together the events that led to the deadly encounter. “The police are working diligently to establish what sparked this altercation,” Muridili said in a statement to TimesLIVE.
Premier Lesufi Visits Grieving Families
On Sunday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi visited the Marry Me informal settlement to offer his condolences to the families of the slain patrollers. Addressing the community, he expressed his heartbreak over the rising death toll. “There are families who have lost their loved ones, and the police updated the figures today that the number has increased from four to five because someone passed on after the incident,” Lesufi said during the visit.
Lesufi also stopped by the Soshanguve Police Station, where he met with police officials and local leaders to discuss the incident and the ongoing investigation. He reassured residents that the provincial government is fully committed to supporting law enforcement efforts. “We will not rest until those responsible are behind bars,” he vowed, a sentiment echoed in reports by EWN and News24.
The Premier’s visit has brought some comfort to a community reeling from the loss of their protectors, though tensions remain high as residents await justice.
Manhunt Intensifies for Suspects
A large-scale manhunt is underway to track down the perpetrators of this brutal attack. Gauteng police have teamed up with private security firms, including Saam Sokolo Security, to comb the area for leads. The Provincial and District Serious and Violent Crime Investigations units are leading the effort, supported by forensic experts analyzing evidence from the crime scene.
Public Order Police have also been deployed to maintain calm in Soshanguve, where community members are on edge. Witnesses are being interviewed, and authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward. “This is a priority case, and we are leaving no stone unturned,” said Brigadier Muridili.
The attack has sparked outrage among residents, with community leaders calling for swift action. “These patrollers were our eyes and ears. Their deaths leave us vulnerable,” said local resident Thabo Mokoena in an interview with SowetanLIVE.
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