Two ANCYL members killed, five injured in Katlehong shooting

What happened

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said a total of seven people were shot in the incident. Two men, aged 23 and 21, were declared dead at the scene, Muridili said. Five others, whose ages range from 12 to 27, sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

“Two men, aged 23 and 21, were declared dead at the scene,”

Police confirmed that a suspect was in custody after handing himself over.

“Following the incident, the suspect handed himself over to the police,”

Muridili said. The case carrying charges of murder and attempted murder has been assigned to the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) for further investigation.

Response from the ANCYL

The ANCYL said it was deeply saddened by the deaths and injuries. The procession was held following a memorial service for a league member who had been killed about two weeks earlier, and the youth league made clear the killing and subsequent attack came while people were gathered to pay their respects.

“It is deeply concerning that, while comrades and community members were gathered to pay their respects and accompany the procession to the deceased member’s home, another shooting incident occurred, resulting in further loss of life and injuries,”

The ANCYL extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and wished the injured a speedy and full recovery. The league also said it stood in solidarity with the Katlehong community during this difficult period.

Calls for action and public-safety concerns

The youth league warned that the recurrence of shootings in the same community raised serious concerns about public safety and the escalating scourge of violent crime. It urged law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to combat violent crime in Katlehong and surrounding communities.

“Communities must be able to mourn their loved ones and conduct memorial services without the fear of being subjected to further violence,”

The ANCYL requested a thorough investigation and that anyone found to have been involved be held accountable in accordance with the law. The league specifically acknowledged reports that a person had handed himself over to police following the latest incident and called on the South African Police Service to investigate the shooting fully.

What the investigation phase means

Assigning the matter to the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team means the case will be handled by a specialised unit of investigators tasked with probing politically linked killings and serious violent incidents. In broad terms, such teams typically gather forensic evidence, interview witnesses and coordinate with local police to build a case steps that aim to establish what happened, who was involved and whether political motives are at play. This description is a general outline of investigative practice and does not assert specific investigative actions already taken in this case.

Impact on the community

Shootings during public gatherings can deepen fear and trauma in affected communities. When a procession or memorial service is targeted or interrupted by violence, families and neighbours are deprived not only of immediate safety but also of the space to grieve openly. Community calls for increased policing and targeted interventions often follow such incidents, as organisations and residents seek assurance that public mourning can proceed without risk.

Immediate facts to note

• Location: Sophangisa Street, Nhlapo Section, Katlehong North, Ekurhuleni.
• Date: October 13.
• Casualties: Two ANCYL members killed (men aged 23 and 21); five others injured and taken to hospital (ages between 12 and 27).
• Suspect: A person handed themselves over to police and is in custody.
• Investigation: Case assigned to the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team with charges of murder and attempted murder.

Looking ahead

Families, comrades and community members are likely to watch closely as the PKTT and local police carry out the investigation. The ANCYL’s public calls for accountability and intensified policing underscore broader anxieties about violent crime in the area.

For now, the confirmed details remain the number of people shot, the ages and outcomes reported by police, the suspect’s surrender and the involvement of the PKTT. Community leaders and law enforcement will determine next steps as the investigation proceeds.