Tragedy in Soshanguve: Five Community Patrollers Killed in Brutal Attack

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned the killings in the strongest terms, calling the attack “cold-blooded murder” and an assault on the very fabric of community safety.

A community in mourning is grappling with shock and outrage following a brutal attack that claimed the lives of five community-based patrollers in the early hours of Saturday morning in the Marry Me informal settlement, north of Pretoria.

The incident unfolded at around 03:00 on Saturday morning when a group of five unidentified assailants confronted community patrollers conducting their routine safety duties in Marry Me Extension 3. According to preliminary reports, a verbal altercation quickly escalated into violence, resulting in a horrifying scene of death and destruction.

By 06:00, police had arrived at the scene to find four lifeless bodies with gunshot wounds, some partially burned — a chilling indication of the savagery of the attack. Eight other patrollers sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Tragically, one of the injured later succumbed to his wounds, bringing the total number of fatalities to five.

The deceased were part of a dedicated group of unarmed volunteers working tirelessly to keep their neighbourhood safe, highlighting the vulnerability and sacrifice of those who serve their communities without the protection or resources afforded to official law enforcement.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned the killings in the strongest terms, calling the attack “cold-blooded murder” and an assault on the very fabric of community safety.

“These unarmed members of the community were committed to fighting crime and improving the safety of their neighbourhood. They stood up to criminality and paid the ultimate price,” Mchunu said in an official statement.

He praised their bravery, noting that community-based patrollers often work in extremely dangerous environments with minimal support. “It is truly commendable that they took a stand. They were doing the right thing. We cannot let such acts of brutality go unpunished.”

Minister Mchunu also lauded the swift action of the South African Police Service (SAPS), which has since launched a full-scale manhunt for the suspects. Investigative teams are currently following several leads, although no arrests had been confirmed at the time of reporting.

“We urge the police to be relentless and thorough in their investigation. This heinous act cannot be allowed to undermine the safety of our communities or the efforts of those trying to protect them,” he added.

Authorities are appealing to residents of the Marry Me settlement and surrounding areas to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation.

“We are calling on the public to assist us. Someone knows something — even the smallest detail could be crucial. We need your cooperation to bring these criminals to justice,” Mchunu said.

The attack has sparked renewed calls for better protection and formal recognition of community patrollers, who often operate without training, resources, or official support, yet play a vital role in supplementing overstretched police services.

Local community leaders and civil society organisations have also voiced their outrage, calling for an emergency intervention in the area to address escalating violence and growing tensions.

The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released, pending notification of their families.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the SAPS Crime Stop hotline or report anonymously through the MySAPS app.

As the community reels from this senseless tragedy, a memorial service is expected to be held later this week to honour the fallen patrollers, whose commitment to justice ultimately cost them their lives.