Our men and women in blue are working around the clock to apprehend the four teenage boys that are behind the mass shooting that took place yesterday in Westbury.
We still have five survivors who are still fighting for their lives in hospital and the two deceased victims have been identified as 18-year-old Tigan Du Plessis and 17- year-old Diegan Ryters.
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 at various areas of interest.
I am continuously receiving a briefing on progress made in addressing gang violence in this area and other areas that are hotspots for gang violence in the province.
I have instructed the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng to deal decisively with these lolly lounges where these children in all these hotspot areas are allegedly bunking school to sit and smoke drugs there at these lounges. We are coming after the owners of these houses and those that are supplying the drugs.
We are also investigating the source of where these firearms are coming from and how children as young as 13 years old have access to these firearms. We are aware as indicated last night that older gang members are using children as runners to evade justice. We are indeed focusing on these handlers and surely we will find them and make them answer as to why they are destroying the future of these young children…
The Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) operating in 8 communities ridden by gang activity such as Westbury, Langlaagte, Reiger park, Eldorado Park and others continues to combat crime in a bid to enhance public safety. In a period of four months from June 2025 to September 2025, the Anti-Gang-unit has arrested 176 suspects for crimes which include murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as being in possession of drugs.
Among the notable successes, the AGU has arrested 21 suspects for murder, 11 for attempted murder, 94 for drug-related offences, 24 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, highlighting the police’s determination to reduce gang-related crimes.
The AGU Detectives have for the same period, taken multiple new cases and accused to court. These accused are facing charges which include murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and possession of drugs. The AGU Detectives have also placed in court three cases, which have been concluded with a combined sentence of 17 years and four months for three accused;
-John Mokate was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition (Moffatview case)
-Rowan Lloyd Hilmer was sentenced to eight years for possession of unlicensed firearm. Two years was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm (Langlaagte case).
-Maurice Jordan Malgas was sentenced to four months imprisonment for possession of drugs (Langlaagte case).
The AGU’s proactive measures have also led to 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 worth of mandrax tablets. Other seized items include cellphones, medicine, knives, and substantial amount of cash, all contributing to the ongoing efforts to dismantle local criminal networks.
As the SAPS, we continue to encourage community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious and criminal activity to the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, you may opt to remain anonymous, all information received will be treated with confidentiality.
Our deployments remain in place and we urge all these communities to work closely with the police to put an end to gang violence.
With this said, the four teenage boys – you know who you are / we are looking for you but we are also encouraging you to hand yourselves over….
We cannot unfortunately circulate their pictures because they are all minors and we must adhere to the child justice act…
Before I conclude, let me congratulate the province for registering a breakthrough in the Bronkhorstpruit tavern shooting in which five people were shot and killed and six wounded on Sunday, 05 October 2025. This suspect was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Zithobeni township which is the area where this tavern shooting took place.
He will appear before the Bronkhorstpruit Magistrate Court tomorrow, Thursday, 23 October 2025 on charges ranging from murder, attempted murder and being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
I Thank you!