The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has called for “urgent and decisive action” against illegal firearms following a mass shooting incident in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, earlier this week.
The incident resulted in the death of four people, with three others sustaining injuries.
“This tragic incident reinforces the urgency of the committee’s call for a gun-free Gauteng, where no family has to bury a loved one because of senseless gun violence.
“The committee believes that achieving this goal requires stronger enforcement against illegal firearms, effective firearm control, intelligence-driven policing and active cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities.
“Residents are urged to report the illegal possession and use of guns to the police and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands,” a committee statement read.
According to police, the victims were coming from a memorial service for a member of a political party when a man opened fire on them.
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“The committee has called for urgent and decisive action to remove illegal guns from the streets of Gauteng and intensify efforts towards achieving a gun-free Gauteng.
“The committee has expressed deep concern over the continued loss of innocent lives through gun violence, which leaves families shattered, communities traumatised and young people deprived of opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country,” the committee said.
It described the loss of four lives in a single shooting as a “painful reminder of the devastating consequences of the unchecked proliferation and misuse of guns”.
“The victims were young people, whose lives and futures have been cut short. They could have become professionals, community leaders, entrepreneurs and active contributors to building a better South Africa. Instead, their families and communities are left to mourn lives that should never have been lost in such circumstances.
“The committee maintains that guns have no place in the hands of individuals who use them to terrorise communities and settle disputes through violence.
“The continued presence of guns on our streets poses a direct threat to the safety of our people and demands a coordinated, sustained and uncompromising response from law enforcement agencies and all relevant stakeholders,” the statement read.
The alleged assailant handed himself over to police and is expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court today.
“While the committee acknowledges the reported surrender of the suspect to the police, it calls for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.
“The investigation must also establish whether the gun used in the incident was legally owned and how it came into the suspect’s possession,” the statement continued.
Condolences have been extended to the families and friends of the victims.
“The committee reiterates that the safety of Gauteng’s residents cannot be compromised. Every life lost to gun violence is one too many, and the province cannot afford to normalise the killing of its people.
“All sectors of society must work together to ensure that firearms are removed from the wrong hands and that Gauteng becomes a province where residents can live, work and participate in democratic processes without fear of being shot,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
