The slain Marry Me informal settlement patrollers were remembered on Sunday, 22 March.
Families and the community held a candle-lighting ceremony and prayers at the scene where five patrollers were brutally killed, and seven others were severely injured.
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The sad incident happened on 22 March 2025 in Soshanguve, Tshwane.
The families of the victims said the gathering brought back bad memories and trauma.
A survivor, Thomas Ngobeni (42), said: “Every time I pass this place, I see the people who died. I’m still traumatised. The government has failed us, and they gave us empty promises. We are struggling and not working.”
He claimed they were promised houses and money for compensation.
Tinyiko Manganyi (45), who lost his son Siliki Nkgoeng (19), said: “This is hard. We are struggling to heal and going through trauma. We are remembering our beloved family members who died protecting our communities.”
He said his son used to help him do motor mechanics on weekends.
“My son wanted to be a police officer or a soldier,” he said.
Family members and the community gathered in deep sorrow and unity during an emotional candlelight ceremony and prayer session at Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve on Sunday, 22 March 2026. Photo by Raymond Morare
Kedibone Sesoko (53), whose son Philemon Sesoko (33) died, said her other son, Tshegofatso Sesoko (24), was badly injured.
“It brings bad memories. It opens wounds. This is a painful day. It’s like they died yesterday. We are struggling to get closure. I almost lost two kids. Thugs cut off the fingers and toes of my son,” she said.
Norah Mothenjwa (48) lost her husband, Oupa Steven Mothenjwa (53).
“When this happened, I was at home in Mpumalanga. I saw my husband lying at this place on a video. Life is difficult. I’m not working. It’s painful when passing this place. We need to relocate and make my husband happy where he is,” she said.
Mittah Moima (35) lost her uncle, Philemon Mashabela (33).
“This is hurting. Those thugs wanted to see them dead. Justice is failing us. We don’t even get counselling. We are suffering,” she said.
Community leader Johanna Chauke said: “Our leaders have failed us dismally. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi came and promised, but he is nowhere to be found today.”
Magdeline Motloutsi (66), whose niece Katlego Motloutsi (27) died, said: “I’m weak. It opened old wounds. Our kids were brutally killed here. Government officials came, promised, and gave us hope. Nothing is happening even today.”
She alleged that the people who committed this crime are foreign nationals. “Our kids were brutally killed like dogs,” she said.
Community Policing Forum chairman Matlhodi Mokwevho said: “We are managing the crime. We have put up more than four cameras. We are patrolling regularly. Since we started in January 2026, we have arrested more than 22 criminals.”
Ward 89 councillor Tshepo Malefane said: “The promises made by Premier Lesufi in terms of human settlements, we are still in progress. We are hoping that at least around June 2026, something would have started here in terms of building houses.”
He said according to the last report he had, the Department of Social Development promised to start counselling the families.
“I’m told today by families that nothing has yet started in terms of counselling. I will do a follow-up,” he said.
He said that no financial compensation was ever promised.
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The commitments made were about counselling, the development of the Marry Me settlement, and assisting families with burials.
Gauteng Police spokeswoman Brigadier Brenda Muridili said five counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder were opened. These are being investigated by the Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation unit.
