27-year-old man linked to Marry Me murders appears in court
Intensive police investigations led to the arrest of the suspect in an unrelated case where he was charged with other multiple offences.
A foreign national appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s court on March 31 in connection with multiple murders that took place in the Marry Me informal settlement.
On March 22 about five community patrollers were found gunned down with additional burn wounds inflicted on them.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said a 27-year-old Zimbabwean national is facing multiple charges.
These include six counts of murder for five men and one woman, five counts of attempted murder for four men and one woman, and two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“It is alleged that on March 22 at about 03:00 in the Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve, a group of 12 patrollers were sitting in the street when they were approached by five unknown men, one of whom armed.”
She said the men allegedly opened fire, shooting one patroller and assaulting others with rocks and wooden poles before setting them on fire.
“Four patrollers died at the scene, while others were transported to hospital, where two more succumbed to their injuries.”
She said following an intensive police investigation, the accused was arrested on March 24 in an unrelated case, where he was charged with possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of ammunition, and being in the country illegally.
“While in custody, he was identified during an ID parade and subsequently charged with the murders, attempted murders, and robberies.
The case was postponed to April 1 “to be joined with the existing matter.”
LISTEN:
The suspect is linked to other murders and house robberies that occurred on February 21, according to police.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo, police followed up on a tip-off and traced the suspect to Soshanguve Ext 20.
“On March 24, information was received by members of the Tactical Operations Management Section, regarding a group of suspects that have allegedly committed multiple murders and attempted murders in the Soshanguve Marry Me informal settlement.
“Upon arrival, police recovered one firearm, 9mm Girsan with ammunition and serial number filed off.”
Police minister Senzo Mchunu during a visit to Marry Me on March 25 said several people were questioned on the incident, while several unlicensed firearms had been discovered.
“We knew and suspected that it would be someone from around here [Soshanguve].
“We have discovered that [one of] the suspect[s] is an undocumented Zimbabwean national and he was also found in possession of an unlicensed firearm,” said Mchunu.
The minister condemned the cold-blooded murders and criminality in Marry Me.
“These unarmed members of the community were committed against crime and improving the safety of their community,” he said.
The ministry has called upon the residents of Marry Me and surrounding areas to work closely with police to provide any information that may lead to the identification and arrest of all perpetrators.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
