Police initiate manhunt for Westbury shooting suspects
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Fannie Masemola, says police are working around the clock to apprehend the suspects behind Tuesday’s mass shooting in Westbury.
“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,” General Masemola said.
This as police on Tuesday responded to a shooting incident where six teenagers were shot. The victims were rushed to hospital where two of them were declared dead on arrival and four were receiving medical attention. Preliminary reports suggest that the shooting was gang related. It is reported that the six, aged between 14 and 19 years, were shot at by suspects believed to be from a rival gang.
The Commissioner visited Westbury in Gauteng on Tuesday night where he said he was continuously receiving a briefing on progress made in addressing gang violence in this area and other areas that are hotspots for gang violence in the province.
“I have instructed the provincial Commissioner of Gauteng to deal decisively with these lolly lounges where these children in all these hotspot areas are allegedly bunking school to sit and smoke drugs at these lounges,” he said.
He added that police are going after the owners of these houses and those that are supplying the drugs.
“We are also investigating the source of where these firearms are coming from and how children as young as 13 years old have access to these firearms.
“We are aware as indicated last night that older gang members are using children as runners to evade justice. We are indeed focusing on these handlers and surely, we will find them and make them answer as to why they are destroying the future of these young children.”
The Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) operating in eight communities ridden by gang activity such as Westbury, Langlaagte, Reiger Park, Eldorado Park and others continue to combat crime in a bid to enhance public safety.
“In a period of four months from June 2025 to September 2025, the AGU arrested 176 suspects for crimes which include murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as being in possession of drugs.
“Among the notable successes, the AGU has arrested 21 suspects for murder, 11 for attempted murder, 94 for drug-related offences, 24 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, highlighting the police’s determination to reduce gang-related crimes.
“The AGU Detectives have also placed in court three cases, which have been concluded with a combined sentence of 17 years and four months for three accused,” Masemola said.
The AGU’s proactive measures have also led to seizures, including 26 firearms and 452 rounds of ammunition, two stolen vehicles, over 600 grams of dagga, 480 grams of methcathinone (CAT) and over 10 000 grams worth of mandrax tablets.
Other seized items include cellphones, medicine, knives, and substantial amount of cash, all contributing to the ongoing efforts to dismantle local criminal networks.
“As the SAPS, we continue to encourage community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious and criminal activity to the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, you may opt to remain anonymous, all information received will be treated with confidentiality.
“Our deployments remain in place, and we urge all these communities to work closely with the police to put an end to gang violence,” Masemola said.
According to Masemola, five survivors are fighting for their lives in hospital, and the two deceased victims have been identified as 18-year-old Tigan Du Plessis and 17- year-old Diegan Ryters.
Source: SA Government News