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Lesufi Urges Policing Overhaul in Soshanguve After Mass Shooting

Published

5 months ago

January 3, 2024

Panyaza Lesufi is calling for an overhaul of policing strategies. His call follows a devastating mass shooting in Soshanguve that killed four, including a 14-year-old child. According to EWN, the incident unfolded at midnight on Monday when unidentified gunmen targeted three vehicles in Block B. Swift police action resulted in the arrest of two suspects by Tuesday morning.

Expressing deep concern and empathy, Lesufi visited the grieving families on Tuesday afternoon to gain firsthand insights into the impact of the tragedy on the community. Before engaging with the affected families, the Gauteng Premier proactively visited the local police station to obtain a detailed briefing on the current crime landscape in Soshanguve.

Also read: Randburg Court Shooting Victims Identified as Witnesses: SAPS Investigates

Despite recent crime statistics reporting a relatively low figure of 11 murders in Soshanguve for the July to September period, Lesufi underscored that crime remains a significant and pressing issue in the area. Recognising the frequency of such incidents, he emphasised the urgent need for additional resources. He requested the MEC for community safety to allocate them promptly.

“In this area, these kinds of incidents are happening frequently, so whatever resources are needed, I’ve asked the MEC [for community safety] to make those available so that we can finally crack this matter,” articulated Lesufi.

Given the gravity of the mass shooting, the Hawks, a specialised unit, have been enlisted to investigate the case, particularly as one of the victims was a police officer.

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