An emotional memorial service and candlelighting was held in Mamelodi East for the two young boys named Gift Maseko (21) and Mokete Ntladi (22).
Learners from Stanza Bopape High School joined family and friends on Wednesday.
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The candlelighting and flower dropping took place at Tsamaya Road, while the memorial service was held at Stanza Bopape Community Hall on Wednesday, 21 January.
The community and families are demanding justice for Gift and Mokete, who were shot dead on Tsamaya Road on Friday, 16 January.
Mokete’s cousin, Tebogo Mokgabudi (45), said: “Both were shot here on Tsamaya Road. We are in great pain.”
She pleaded with the cops to arrest the perpetrators.
Another cousin, John Tlaka (39), said they are hurt by what happened to their kids.
“They were shot in this street. We are still asking questions about what really happened.”
He urged police to work with the community, warning that if they don’t, homes will be closed.
Gift’s aunt, Soni Mabunda, said they are in great pain as a family.
“We lost my brother’s son. This has affected us a lot.”
She mentioned rumours that the killers wanted to ask for forgiveness, saying Gift was in the wrong place.
“It’s like they didn’t want to kill Gift. The Bible allows us to forgive them if they want forgiveness.”
Soni asked the killers to confess so the family could know who they were.
“We want to know whether they are Gift’s enemies or not,” she added.
Community leader Comfort Shongwe said, “This shows that the issue of drugs is high here, and it might be the cause. Young people are dying a lot. This is painful. We are burying youth every month.” He questioned how someone could kill another person.
Another community leader, Theresa Mangope, said, “This is painful to see our kids dying like this.”
ActionSA Public Representative in Mamelodi, Thoko Mabunda, said they are tired of crime in Mamelodi.
“We need the police to take away guns from the community. I will not rest until guns are removed by police from criminals.”
ANC ward 93 representative Sandra Mgwenya said, “Most parents protect kids. Let’s even report to our kids when they are committing a crime.”
Minah Kubeyi said: People are complaining about crime. We want illegal guns to be removed. Let’s assist the police to get rid of crime.”
Police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said: “The police are investigating a double murder case after two men were shot dead on 16 January 2026 at Tsamaya Road in Mamelodi East.
“It is reported that the police received a complaint from a local clinic about two men who were shot. Upon arrival at the clinic, they were shown the two men already declared dead.
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“According to information received, the victims were shot by unknown men while they were sitting inside their vehicle.”
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown at this stage, and police investigations are underway.”
