Marry Me informal settlement death toll rises to seven

The death toll in the brutal killings at the Marry Me Informal settlement in Soshanguve in Gauteng has risen to seven. A seventh community patroller has died of his injuries in hospital.

Residents in the informal settlement are calling for the settlement to be formalised. They believe doing so will help to deal with crime. They are also calling for government to get rid of illegal immigrants whom they believe are the main culprits behind criminal activities in the area.

The residents voiced their concerns during a community Imbizo with Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi.

The area has been rocked by violent crime, which led to the loss of seven lives. Over a week ago, six community patrollers were shot and killed.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the passing of the seventh patroller during his address. The community says they no longer feel safe.

They say formalising the settlement and empowering emerging entrepreneurs would help create jobs and curb the high levels of crime.

Lesufi says a specialised task team has been deployed to deal with criminality.

“The criminality that is here at Marry Me, we have elevated it for a special attention and we have deployed special additional police to patrol and work in Marry Me. So, in terms of crime, the police will increase their numbers. And the police will work with the community and ensure that their presence is felt,” says Lesufi.

He says the Task Team will not only focus on Marry Me, but the whole of Soshanguve and surrounding townships in the north of Pretoria.

Some of those who attended the Imbizo were Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane and Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile.