Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirms the death toll in the Soshanguve shooting has risen to five, as police are given 72 hours to arrest those responsible.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has confirmed that a fifth person has died following the deadly shooting at the Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve on Saturday morning. The attack initially claimed the lives of four community patrollers, and at least seven others remain hospitalized.
Lesufi, who visited the grieving families on Sunday, vowed to work with police to uncover the truth behind the tragic event. Authorities have launched an urgent manhunt, with the provincial police commissioner issuing a 72-hour deadline to apprehend those responsible for the heinous attack.
Soshanguve Shooting: What Happened?
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili stated that officers arrived at the Marry Me Informal Settlement Extension 3 around 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, where they discovered four charred bodies with gunshot wounds.
According to preliminary reports, the violence erupted around 3 a.m. when a group of community patrollers approached five unknown individuals. A quarrel broke out, leading to a brutal attack that left four dead and eight injured. Some of the wounded were rushed to hospital before police arrived. One of them later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total death toll to five.
Lesufi’s Response and Call for Justice
Addressing the distressed community, Lesufi expressed deep sorrow and pledged full government support in uncovering the truth.
“I cry with you, I am with you. I will work with the police to find out what happened and who did what they did.” – Panyaza Lesufi
Lesufi further confirmed that he had met with the provincial police commissioner, who had deployed detectives to investigate the attack. He also urged witnesses to come forward with any information that could assist in arresting the culprits.
Investigation Underway: Police Given 72 Hours
The police task force has already identified several suspects, and law enforcement is working around the clock to bring them to justice.
Lesufi emphasized that the police are pursuing tangible leads, stating:
“Their operatives are hard at work to ensure that they give us the tangible information that can assist us.”
Authorities have also acknowledged that the Marry Me Informal Settlement poses significant policing challenges, and Lesufi has promised to return on Wednesday with MECs and government officials to address broader safety concerns.
Call for Community Cooperation
As investigations continue, police are urging anyone with information about the Soshanguve shooting to come forward. The community is also encouraged to work with authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
With the 72-hour deadline ticking, the residents of Soshanguve remain hopeful that justice will be served swiftly.
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