Two suspects have been arrested on Monday in connection with a murder investigation involving the killings of patrollers who were fatally shot on Saturday at the Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve township.
One of them was identified as an undocumented Zimbabwean male national, who was caught in possession of a firearm during the arrest.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu announced this on Tuesday during his visit to Soshanguve, where he was briefing affected families about the latest development in the police’s investigation at a local community hall.
He confirmed that the death toll has risen to six after one of the casualties succumbed to their injuries in hospital on Monday.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo said the arrests of two suspects, aged 27 and 50, were made possible by a collaborative operation involving various law enforcement units, including the Hawks' Tactical Operations Management Section, Tshwane K9 Unit, Akasia Crime Prevention, and several others.
The first suspect, arrested in Soshanguve Extension 20, was found with a 9MM Girsan firearm and ammunition, with the serial number removed.
The second suspect, arrested in Soshanguve Extension 6, was in possession of a 9MM CZ firearm and ammunition, also with the serial number removed.
Both suspects are scheduled to appear before the Pretoria North Magistrates Court on Wednesday to face charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, and ammunition.
Their firearms are currently undergoing forensic testing to confirm whether they were used in the commission of the crime.
According to Mchunu, the police are actively searching for approximately five individuals who are believed to be connected to the fatal shootings.
He disclosed that two other people had been summoned for questioning by the police following a tip-off.
“Police are intensifying their search and hunt, and they are not going to spare any moment until they get satisfied that they have rounded off all the culprits,” he said.
The bereaved families have, however, expressed mixed reactions to the recent arrest, with others doubtful whether the arrests will lead to justice being served.
Rose Phahla, a relative of Katlego Motlotsi, a 27-year-old who was fatally shot at the scene, said that finding comfort would come from seeing the suspects linked to the crime, convicted, and serving their sentence.
She said: “I am concerned about the justice system in Soshanguve because we have witnessed many suspects being arrested before only to be released and seen walking freely in the community, sometimes even before serving their full sentence.”
Thokozile Koko, who lost her nephew, Mpho Koko, 19, during the tragic incident, said: “We have, somewhat, been comforted because we can see that the government wants to put this matter to bed as soon as possible.”
Sello Koko, another relative of the victim, expressed scepticism about finding comfort in the arrest, citing the high prevalence of crime in Soshanguve.
“We can’t say it was a syndicate. We don’t even have a picture to put to say this is the person (behind the killings). But honestly speaking, we have not reached our comfort zone where we can say the community at large is safe,” he said.
There have been concerns that the SAPS in Soshanguve delayed responding to the scene when contacted on Saturday regarding the incident, citing the unavailability of vehicles.
Mchunu said the number of police and vehicles have been increased in the area.
He said the next step will be to focus on rebuilding trust within the community, encouraging individuals to feel comfortable sharing information with the police without fear of it being leaked to suspects.
He said the presence of undocumented foreign nationals living in the country without proper authorisation “has become problematic”.
“There is now clear evidence with the arrest that has been made of this one suspect who was in possession of an illegal firearm. This is clear evidence to us that it is true that undocumented foreigners who are illegal here are a factor that can’t be denied in criminality, even in murders,” he said.
Mchunu expressed concern that there is a high rate of murders in the country, which is unacceptable.
He suggested that problems stemming from border management contributed to the high rate of crime.
“It is for that reason that we are taking up the matter with the Minister of Home Affairs, and border management in particular, to say it is about time to bring this thing to an end,” he said.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said eight people were rushed to hospital after the incident.
“After the incident, we lost one person and on Monday, we lost another person. In total, we have got six people that are deceased. There are two people that have been discharged and we are remaining with four if I am not mistaken,” he said.
On Sunday, Lesufi visited the injured patrollers in the hospital and described the situation as bad.