Minister Bheki Cele and Commissioner General Fanie Masemola visited the family of murdered five-year-old Ditebogo Junior Phalane in Soshanguve UU, in the east of Pretoria. Ditebogo was shot dead by hijackers outside his family home when he went outside to welcome his father on Friday night. The hijackers made away with Ditebogo's father's bakkie.

[TOUGH ON CRIME ] Not mincing his words, @SAPoliceService Minister Bheki Cele unveils with the #SoshanguveIntervention Combat team made up of additional members of Crime Intelligence, Detectives, Drone unit, Public Order Police,NIU @TMPDSafety who will stabilise the area. pic.twitter.com/eRwEIuWfyG

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) May 14, 2024

EXTRA RESOURCES TO SPEED INVESTIGATIONS  

Speaking outside Ditebogo's home today, Cele said that they have put in extra resources to speed up investigations into the death of Ditebogo and that they have also deployed 60 police cars which will be patrolling the area. The police have also brought different police units including Public Order Policing, known as Amaberetand National Intervention Unit, to work on a semi-permanent basis in the area to combat the escalating violent crimes and stabilise the area. "Community members here are bearing the brunt of crime, women are being harassed by criminals and as the government, we couldn't just keep quiet we had to respond,' Cele said.

With the extra resources, Cele promised the community that they would sleep peacefully with their doors unlocked in the next 48 hours. "The community here must be able to walk alone when they want to. Houses should not be turned into prisons where people lock themselves in so that they can feel safe,' the minister said.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

Speaking to SABC News today, Ditebogo's aunt ,Kgomotso Phalane, said the family is not coping with his death. "We are not coping at all- we are hurt, we never imagined a life without Junior, especially at such a young age. This is a nightmare,' she said. Phalane also said that they are still asking themselves questions on why the armed hijackers killed a child when they could see him as there are street lights in the area. "What were they thinking? The father cooperated and gave them the car. He was just a child, we don't know if we will ever heal -we can't eat,' Phalane said. She added that as the family, they hope the police will make sure there is justice for Ditebogo.