By BAKANG MOKOTO
31 March 2025- A 27-YEAR-OLD Zimbabwean national briefly appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court today, facing multiple charges, including six counts of murder for five men and one woman, five counts of attempted murder for four men and one woman, and two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. It is alleged that on 22 March 2025, at approximately 3am, in the Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve, a group of 12 patrollers were sitting on the street when they were approached by five unknown men, one of whom was armed.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the men allegedly opened fire, shooting one patroller and assaulting others with rocks and wooden poles before setting them on fire. Mahanjana said four patrollers died at the scene, while others were transported to the hospital, where two more succumbed to their injuries.
“Following an intensive police investigation, the accused was arrested on 24 March 2025, in an unrelated case, where he was charged with possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of ammunition, and being in the country illegally.
“While in custody, he was identified during an ID parade and subsequently charged with the murders, attempted murders, and robberies. The case has been postponed to 1 April 2025, to be joined with the existing matter,” she said.
The Guardian 