The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a full-scale operation to apprehend the suspects involved in Tuesday’s mass shooting in Westbury, Johannesburg, which claimed the lives of two teenagers and left four others hospitalised.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said police are working around the clock to find the alleged teenage gunmen believed to be linked to local gangs.

“It’s just a matter of time before we track down these teenagers. Our crime intelligence operatives, detectives and uniformed police are on the ground actively searching for these suspects at various areas of interest,” Masemola said.

ALSO READ: Two teenagers killed, four injured in Westbury shooting

According to preliminary reports, six youths aged between 14 and 19 were attacked by a rival gang while socialising in the area. Two victims were declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while four remain under medical care.

Masemola, who visited Westbury on Tuesday night, said he continues to receive updates on police progress in addressing gang-related crime in the area and other hotspots across Gauteng.

“I have instructed the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng to deal decisively with these ‘lolly lounges’ where children in hotspot areas are allegedly skipping school to use drugs,” he said.

Masemola added that police are also targeting the owners of the lounges and those supplying drugs and firearms to young people.

“We are investigating the sources of these firearms and why children as young as 13 have access to them.

ALSO READ: Two men die in Westbury shooting, three suspects arrested

“Older gang members are using children as runners to evade justice – we are focusing on these handlers and they will answer for destroying the futures of these young children.”

Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) making progress

The Gauteng AGU, which operates in gang-affected areas including Westbury, Langlaagte, Reiger Park, Eldorado Park, and others, has made several arrests over the past four months.

Between June and September, the AGU arrested 176 suspects for serious offences such as murder, attempted murder, drug possession, and illegal firearm possession.

Among its successes:

* 21 suspects arrested for murder
* 11 for attempted murder
* 94 for drug-related crimes
* 24 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition

The unit also secured three court convictions, resulting in a combined sentence of 17 years and four months for the three accused.

ALSO READ: 12 suspects arrested from Eldorado Park and Westbury

Firearms and drugs seized

The AGU’s operations have led to the seizure of:

* 26 firearms and 452 rounds of ammunition
* Two stolen vehicles
* Over 600 grams of dagga
* 480 grams of methcathinone (CAT)
* 10 000 grams worth of mandrax tablets

Police also recovered mobile phones, knives, cash, and other items linked to gang networks.

Masemola urged residents to continue assisting the police by reporting suspicious activity.

“We encourage community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or criminal activity to the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111. You may remain anonymous, and all information will be treated confidentially,” he said.

The commissioner confirmed that five victims are still fighting for their lives in the hospital, while the deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Tigan du Plessis and 17-year-old Diegan Ryters.

“Our deployments remain in place, and we urge all communities to work closely with police to help end gang violence,” added Masemola.