The Gauteng police commissioner has confirmed that two people killed in Mamelodi on Friday afternoon were involved in Boko Haram activities. Boko Haram is a suspected criminal gang in Mamelodi unrelated to the West Africa militia of the same name.

Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela said around 16:35, police found four men dead on the corner of Dinamo and Aphane streets in Mamelodi East near Tsako Thabo secondary school.

Speaking during Operation O Kae Molao in Mamelodi on Saturday evening, Mawela said two of the deceased had previously been arrested in 2021 hence the police knew who they were.

He said an investigation into the shooting deaths was already in progress, but they could not confirm if they were gang-related.

“Primary investigations suggest that they were involved in Boko Haram activities,” said Mawela.

He said the two who had previously been arrested were suspected of involvement in extortion and hijacking of construction sites and flats near Sunvalley in Mamelodi West.

“Unfortunately, due to a lack of cooperation by witnesses and complainants the cases against them were withdrawn,” said Mawela.

“The community must work with the police so that we can see these cases to finality in a court of law,” he said.

“All that we know is that four people were killed. As to what the motive was, we don’t know, but as we continue with the investigation we will be able to establish the motive.”

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that four people were killed in a shooting.

“Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the killing of four people in Mamelodi on Friday,” says Masondo.

He says the four were pronounced dead on the scene when police arrived. All the victims had gunshot wounds.