The death toll from the attack of night patrollers at the Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve has risen to six, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed on Tuesday.

The sixth victim died from injuries sustained during the weekend attack while in hospital, on Tuesday morning.

“From the eight people that were rushed to the hospital, we lost one person on Sunday and another one yesterday,” Lesufi told the media.

This brings the number of fatalities to six.

He confirmed that two of the hospitalised patrollers had been discharged, while four others were still fighting for their lives in the hospital.

Lesufi, along with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, and Provincial Police Commissioner General Tommy Mthombeni, visited the area Tuesday morning.

Mchunu announced the arrest of a Zimbabwean national in connection with the brutal murders of five community patrollers over the weekend.

“The man arrested is in the country illegally,” Mchunu said.

“We are still investigating how and when he entered South Africa, but it is confirmed that he is an undocumented foreigner.”

The suspect was also found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, Mchunu added.

He added that two suspects are being questioned concerning the mass murder.

Mchunu extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

On Saturday, four people were shot and partially burned during a confrontation between community patrollers and a group of individuals in Soshanguve.

Police arrived at 6am and found four bodies with gunshot wounds, while eight others were rushed to hospital, but two later died.

Preliminary investigations indicate that around 3am, a group of patrollers encountered five individuals on the street, leading to the deadly altercation. The motive is still under investigation.

On Monday, IOL News reported Lesufi revealed during his visit to the area on Sunday, that the recent murders of the night patrollers were suspected to be linked to extortion.

In the area, residents pay patrollers R50 for safety, another R50 for water, and R350 for electricity. A kingpin believed to be in jail is suspected of coordinating the operation.

“I have detailed information, including about people in prison who are still overseeing activities outside,” Lesufi said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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Death toll in Soshanguve mass shooting rises to six, Lesufi confirms