The Anti-Gang Unit has made a major breakthrough in the investigation into the deadly gang-related shooting in Westbury, Johannesburg, which claimed the lives of two teenagers and left five others wounded.
Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect at a high school in Diepkloof, Soweto, on Wednesday.
“The Anti-Gang Unit received crucial information from the Crime Intelligence Unit regarding the location of one of the suspects involved in the recent Westbury shooting, which resulted in a double murder and five counts of attempted murder,” Muridili said.
She added that after a detailed briefing, the team tracked the suspect to the school, where he was positively identified and taken into custody without incident.
It is reported that investigations are ongoing to locate the remaining suspects. Muridili confirmed that two of the five injured victims have since been discharged from hospital.
“The SAPS urges the public to assist by providing any relevant information on the suspects’ whereabouts. Call the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111 - callers may remain anonymous,” she said.
The mass shooting occurred around 1 p.m. last Tuesday on Croesus Street, when four suspects, three of them armed, opened fire on a group of seven teenagers. The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Tigan du Plessis and 17-year-old Diegan Ryters.
Meanwhile, ActionSA MP Dereleen James has called for urgent government intervention, cautioning that gangsterism in communities such as Westbury, Eldorado Park, and Riverlea is rapidly escalating beyond control.
“The fact that children as young as 13 are being exploited as gang runners is unacceptable and demands urgent, coordinated intervention. ActionSA calls on SAPS to launch a specialised pilot operation in the most affected communities, with dedicated detectives, forensic and cybercrime experts, to ensure swift investigations and the immediate disruption of criminal networks,” James said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Saturday Star
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