Gauteng deputy police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana says three of the four suspects involved in a mass shooting in Westbury, Johannesburg, which left two teenagers dead and five others wounded, are known.

Kekana confirmed the update during a media briefing at the crime scene on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier on Tuesday, IOL News reported that the incident occurred around 1pm on Croesus Street in Westbury. 

Seven teenagers, aged between 13 and 19, were approached by four suspects on foot, three of whom were armed, before being shot.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said two of the teenagers were declared dead at the scene, while five others were rushed to hospital.

Kekana said the wounded victims, aged between 15 and 19, were currently receiving treatment in hospital. 

He said due to the severity of their injuries, community members transported the victims themselves instead of waiting for ambulances.

“Because of the severity, the community felt they could not wait for an ambulance. They immediately moved them to hospital to receive medical attention,” he said.

Kekana said that the commander of crime prevention from Sophiatown Police Station had been just three streets away at the time, conducting operations due to the area’s notoriety for drug-related crimes and gang violence.

“The anti-gang unit, under the command of a captain, was also just a few blocks away and responded immediately,” he said.

According to Kekana, the suspects, believed to also be teenagers, fled the scene but are known to police.

“We know who they are. We have the names, the parents’ details, and addresses of three of them. The fourth suspect remains unidentified,” he said. 

“Our team is actively following up because, for obvious reasons, they haven’t returned to their homes.”

Kekana confirmed that police had obtained video footage showing the suspects’ faces as they arrived and fled the scene.

“As soon as our teams locate them, we’ll ensure they are taken into custody and brought to justice,” he said.

Kekana confirmed that the shooting was gang-related and involved two rival groups.

“Yes, it is gang-related. They just came, provoked, and shot at those who were sitting and smoking. That’s what happened,” he said.

He added that over 20 rounds were fired at the scene, and the investigation was still ongoing.

“Three of the four suspects were armed. The fourth was unarmed, which is why you’ll see the amount of ammunition or cartridges left at the scene,” he said.

When asked about the presence of police in the area, given that law enforcement was operating nearby at the time, Kekana acknowledged ongoing concerns.

“For 24/7, we have an anti-gang unit covering all affected areas. A captain with a team was already conducting operations here. They conduct stop-and-searches, recover firearms and drugs, and make arrests,” he said.

He said that other anti-gang teams were also operating in Eldorado Park, Moffat View, and Riverlea.

Despite these efforts, Kekana said gang-related violence, especially among teenagers, remained a serious concern.

“Young boys are fighting for territory or gang affiliation. As a community, we need to help each other – starting with the parents. If you allow a 13-year-old to join a gang, what kind of adult are you raising?” he asked.

Kekana stressed that while police have a duty to maintain law and order, they cannot be everywhere at once and rely on communities to act as their “eyes and ears”.

“The issue of whether police or vehicles are enough is neither here nor there. It starts with the community taking responsibility,” he said.

“Street committees must ensure illegal activities don’t happen in their areas. If drugs are being sold, the community must report it – or even intervene and say, ‘Not in our space.’”

He added, “It depends on the kind of environment a community wants. If illegal activities are allowed, it becomes a bigger problem.”

Kekana assured the public that law enforcement would not be deterred in their efforts.

“We know our duty, but we’ll never be able to be on every corner. The community is a supplementary force, and we need to work together to stop this,” he said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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