Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has strongly condemned the brutal killing of five community safety patrollers at Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve.

The patrollers were gunned down by unknown assailant in the early hours of Saturday, pelted with rocks and partially burnt.

Addressing the community on Sunday, Lesufi announced that SAPS detectives have been dispatched to track down the alleged perpetrators within 72 hours.

Police reports indicate that a fatal altercation occurred on Saturday, resulting in the tragic loss of four community patrollers, who died on the spot.

Eight additional victims, suffering from gunshot wounds, were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment.

The number of deceased has since increased to five after an additional person died in hospital.

Lesufi was briefed by the SAPS who told him that they “know who they are looking for”.

"They have also given me information that on Friday and Saturday nights you are attacked in your houses by various criminals. Even when those criminals come there are certain appliances that they are taking in your houses. They have given me information where these appliances are taken to and who is behind that," he said.

There was also concerns raised about unauthorised individuals collecting funds from households under the guise of supporting community initiatives

Lesufi said he was told about some people serving sentences in prison who were still coordinating criminal activities in the community.

He said: “There is no excuse to kill people in that brutal manner where you have to throw rocks at them and even put fire to them. There is no excuse for that heartless behaviour and the police must not sleep until the perpetrators are arrested. If the perpetrators resist arrest I am giving the police (permission) to do whatever is possible to reconnect them with their Creator up there," he said.

He promised to return to the community on Wednesday to engage with residents and listen to their concerns on various issues.

Local councillor Tshepo Malefane said the community has been facing a problem with illegal immigrants targeting residents by forcefully entering homes and stealing appliances.

He claimed the police officers delayed responding to the scene, despite being alerted before the shooting occurred.

“We were reliably told that police were called before patrollers were abducted but the police delayed saying they have no cars to come and assist. As a result of their delays this is what happened,” he said.

patroller

Gauteng Premier condemns brutal killing of community patrollers in Soshanguve