A mass shooting in Reiger Park on Friday night has left four people dead, including two South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-gang unit officers and two civilians. The deadly attack has sparked renewed concern over escalating violence in the East Rand community.
Residents gathered at the scene as the scale of the tragedy became clear, with community members expressing shock over the deaths. One resident said those killed did not deserve to lose their lives in such circumstances.
“We have officials that lost their lives. I’m so emotional. I even want to cry. Because the girls that died and the men in blue that died tonight. They didn’t deserve to die like that. And I really want to make a call on the mothers and the fathers of Reiger Park. If you know that your child is busy with wrongdoings, please stop protecting them,” the resident said.
Reiger Park Shooting Sparks Calls For Action
Ward councillor Edith Klaasen said the latest Reiger Park shooting had once again left residents fearful. She said gunfire in the area has become associated with the devastating possibility that another family has lost a loved one.
“After the shooting I was here as a mother, knowing it could have been my daughter. As a ward councillor it hits hard. It really hits hard because when is it going to stop.
“We’ve been crying out for help for such a long time. I am very hurt. This cannot be normal,” she said.
The councillor’s comments reflect the deep concern among residents over recurring violence in the township and the impact of shootings on families and the wider community.
Panyaza Lesufi Calls Reiger Park Attack A Declaration Of War
The Gauteng government has condemned the Reiger Park shooting, with Premier Panyaza Lesufi describing the attack on police officers as a direct challenge to the state. He called on law enforcement to track down those responsible.
“What they have to do is to track down the perpetrators, wherever they are. My argument is very simple. You attack policemen, you are taking the state. What has just happened here is nothing else but the declaration of war. And we have to respond. There’s no way the policemen can fold their arms when one of their own are being attacked,” Lesufi said.
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Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said additional resources had been deployed to the area following the killings. He said police would continue working until those responsible were identified and brought to justice.
“Currently we have lost the young constables of which is very sad for the South African Police Service. We have currently deployed maximum resources within this area and it will continue so that we can be in a position to stabilize but we are not going to rest up until we get those people who are responsible for what happened,” Mthombeni said.
Reiger Park Violence Raises Concerns Over Police Resources
Paramedic Kevin Koopman, who responded to the shooting, said Reiger Park needs greater visibility and additional resources as violence continues to affect the community. He said another shooting had occurred in the area on Thursday night.
“The violence is increasing by the day. So we need resources and everything. SAPS is really working in our community. I’m going to give them the credit. The credit is due. They are working very, very hard.
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“They are on the ground. They are doing what it’s supposed to do. But we are sitting with the community that doesn’t want to talk. They don’t want to talk when these things are happening. That’s why we’re having this increase of violence in this community.”
Police have deployed additional resources to Reiger Park as the investigation into Friday night’s mass shooting continues.
