The police in Gauteng have arrested two suspects linked to the murder of five-year-old Ditebogo Junior Phalane, who was shot and killed in Soshanguve, outside Pretoria, during the hijacking last Friday. Ditebogo Junior was shot by the hijackers who had targeted his father outside their home. Cele visited the Phalane family on Tuesday and promised to get to the bottom of rampant crime in the area, especially the senseless killings.

ONE SUSPECT STILL AT LARGE

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said they activated various law enforcement agencies to Jukulyn in search of the suspects and the members vowed not to rest until they arrested all of them. "We have worked tirelessly day and night. We had a breakthrough after thorough investigations that led us to specific addresses in Soshanguve, where we arrested two suspects in different locations," said Mthombeni. He added that in one of the locations, the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. "At the other location we found the suspect who resided not too far from the crime scene in possession of another unlicensed firearm, which was linked to a car hijacking which was committed in 2023 in Acacia. We also moved to a third location where it is believed that the other suspect resided, however we didn't find him," he said. Mthombeni said they will not rest until all the suspects are brought to book.

WORK HARDER

Not in My Name secretary-general, Themba Masango, said the government needs to increase police visibility as they proved capable during Covid-19 lockdown. "When we had the lockdown, we had police in every single area and people were policed to make sure that they didn't buy alcohol and jump the street. People were closed in at home. Now, we want the same type of activity, strength and action to be re-enforced, especially in township areas," said Masango. He added that in hotspots like Soshanguve, Inanda, Mamelodi; places like Gugulethu, Khayelitsha in Cape Town, and the Cape Flats had heightened visibility which is needed now. " They do have the resources. In Gauteng particularly, we've got the manpower now with ama-Panyapanya [crime prevention wardens) of Panyaza Lesufi [crime prevention wardens). We should have people patrolling the streets 24/7," he said.