Advocacy groups have expressed concern over what they describe as the normalisation of youth murders and the continued reliance on ineffective policing strategies, following a deadly shooting in Samora Machel that claimed the lives of three young people over the weekend.
Samora Machel SAPS has registered three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Police reported that the shooting took place at approximately 11:55 along Oliver Tambo Drive, where the victims were seated inside a Suzuki Ertiga when they were approached by unknown suspects. The suspects opened fire before fleeing the scene.
“Three victims, aged between 16 and 21, were declared deceased at the scene,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg.
“A fourth victim, aged 19, was taken to a medical facility for treatment. The motive for the attack is still unknown.”
In response to the incident, Soil of Africa Movement Chairperson Bongani Ramontja criticised what he termed a failure to adequately address violent crime affecting young people. He called for the establishment of a specialised, community-accountable anti-gang unit focused on prevention, infiltration, and disruption, rather than reactive policing.
“The continued killing of black youth is not only a criminal crisis, but also a governance failure,” Ramontja said.
“When killers are not afraid, it is because the state has taught them there are no consequences. When children are murdered in public spaces, it is because intelligence systems are compromised, hollowed out, or captured, and because accountability has collapsed.”
Police have appealed to members of the public to assist with the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact Crime Stop anonymously on 08600 10111 or submit information via the MySAPS mobile application.
VOC News
Photo: VOCfm/Stock
