Four people, including two Anti-Gang Unit officers and two women, were killed in a Reiger Park ambush last night (8 August) at around 19:30.

The Boksburg Advertiser reports police issued a statement shortly after the incident saying that members who formed part of a crime prevention team, were patrolling the area when they heard gunshots.

As they approached to investigate, they were allegedly ambushed and killed.

Top cops say community is key to solving murder

Provincial SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has mobilised ‘all the necessary resources including Crime Intelligence, Tracking Team, Crime Scene Management and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’ to track down the killers.

While maximum resources have been mobilised to hunt down the killers, Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane believes that members of the community hold the key to solving this case.

He appealed to the Reiger Park community to stand with the police and assist investigators to track down those responsible for the shooting.

“We know that someone saw what happened. Someone knows who pulled the trigger, who planned this attack or where the suspects are hiding. We are pleading with the community not to protect ruthless criminals who have no regard for human life. Your silence only emboldens those who continue to terrorise your community,” said Dimpane.

Optimism after gang violence suspect’s arrest short-lived

Boksburg Advertiser recently reported that police in Reiger Park were optimistic of a breakthrough in their fight against gang violence following the arrest of a 23-year-old man allegedly linked to a string of violent crimes, including attempted murder and armed robbery.

However, their optimism was short-lived after the suspect, who was arrested on July 27, was released when his scheduled first appearance in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court did not proceed because the matter was not placed on the court roll.

Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson Constable Johannes Msimanga confirmed the suspect had previously been arrested on charges including attempted murder, armed robbery, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

He was out on bail when he was arrested in July.

The arrest was made by the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit, which has been deployed to Reiger Park to combat persistent gang violence, drug-related crime and deadly shootings that have sparked growing concern among residents.

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