The Minister of Police has condemned the killing of five community patrollers at the Marry Me informal settlement in Sohsanguve over the weekend. The group was shot dead and partially burned after an altercation with suspected criminals.

SHOCKING INCIDENT

According to the police, law enforcement responded to a crime scene at the Marry Me Informal Settlement Ext 3 over the weekend, and when they arrived, they discovered the bodies of four individuals who had sustained gunshot wounds and were partially burnt. Mchunu spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi said preliminary investigations reveal that the victims, who were community-based patrollers, had been confronted by five individuals on the street around 3 am. "A quarrel broke out, which tragically escalated into violence, leading to the deaths and injuries," Mogotsi said. She added that the third person passed away in the hospital while seven others are still being treated for gunshot wounds.

KILLINGS CONDEMNED

Mchunu said he was saddened by the attack on the patrollers and condemned the incident. "We condemn in the strongest terms the cold-blooded murders and criminality that took place in Marry Me. These unarmed members of the community were committed against crime and improving the safety of their community. It was remarkable that they took a stand against crime, and that is 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," the minister said. Mchunu also called on residents of Marry Me and surrounding areas to work closely with the police and provide any information that may 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," he added.