Westbury Shooting: Victims identified as police hunt teenage gunmen

The two teenagers who died in a hail of bullets in Westbury, Johannesburg, on Tuesday afternoon have been identified. 

The victims are Tigan du Plessis,18, and Diegan Ryters, 17. 

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed the identities while speaking from Sophiatown police station on Wednesday morning.

The shooting incident took place on Croesus Street on Tuesday at around 1 pm. It is believe to be gang-related. 

Police said seven teenagers, aged between 13 and 19, were approached by four suspects on foot, three of whom were armed. 

Police said two teenagers were declared dead at the scene, while the remaining five were rushed to the hospital.

Masemola said police are working around the clock to apprehend the four teenage boys behind the shooting.

“We still have five survivors who are fighting for their lives in the hospital. 

“It’s just a matter of time before we track down these teenagers. Our crime intelligence operatives, detectives, and uniformed police are on the ground, actively searching for these suspects in various areas of interest.”

Masemola said he receives ongoing briefings on progress in addressing gang violence in Westbury and other hotspot areas across the province.

He said he had instructed the Gauteng provincial commissioner to act decisively against so-called “lolly lounges” – informal drug dens – where children are allegedly bunking school to smoke drugs.

“We are coming after the owners of these houses and those supplying the drugs,” he said.

“We are also investigating the source of the firearms and how children as young as 13 years old are gaining access to them.”

Masemola said police were aware that older gang members were using children as runners to evade justice.

“We are indeed focusing on these handlers, and we will find them and hold them accountable for destroying the future of these young children.”

The Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), operating in eight gang-ridden communities including Westbury, Langlaagte, Reiger Park and Eldorado Park, continues to combat gang-related crime to improve public safety.

Between June and September 2025, the AGU arrested 176 suspects for crimes including murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and drug possession.

Among these arrests were, 21 suspects for murder, 11 for attempted murder, 94 for drug-related offences, and 24 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

AGU detectives have also brought multiple new cases to court during this period. 

Three cases have concluded, resulting in a combined sentence of 17 years and four months for three convicted individuals:

John Mokate was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition (Moffatview case).

Rowan Lloyd Hilmer received an eight-year sentence for possession of unlicensed firearms. Two years were wholly suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm (Langlaagte case).

Maurice Jordan Malgas was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment for drug possession (Langlaagte case).

The AGU’s proactive operations have also led to significant seizures, including, 26 firearms and 452 rounds of ammunition, two stolen vehicles, over 600 grams of dagga, 480 grams of methcathinone (CAT), and over 10,000 grams of mandrax tablets.

Other items confiscated include mobile phones, knives, medicine, and a large sum of cash, all aiding efforts to dismantle local criminal networks.

“As the SAPS, we continue to encourage community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. You may choose to remain anonymous; all information will be treated confidentially,” Masemola said.

“Our deployments remain in place, and we urge all communities to work closely with the police to end gang violence.”

Regarding the Westbury shooting, Masemola called on the four teenage suspects to hand themselves in.

“You know who you are – we are looking for you, but we are also encouraging you to hand yourselves over. Unfortunately, we cannot circulate their pictures as they are minors, and we must adhere to the Child Justice Act.”

Masemola also confirmed a breakthrough in the Bronkhorstspruit tavern shooting in which five people were killed and six others wounded on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

A suspect was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Zithobeni township – the area where the shooting occurred.

“He will appear before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Thursday, October 23, 2025, on charges of murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition,” Masemola said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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