The township of Boitekong, near Rustenburg, is grappling with a profound tragedy following a mass shooting that claimed nine lives.
Boitekong mass shooting rocks Rustenburg community
This horrific incident unfolded at the Popo Molefe informal settlement on a fateful Saturday night.
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the Provincial Police spokesperson, recounted the events:
“A group of individuals were sitting in a yard drinking liquor when an unconfirmed number of suspects opened fire on them. As a result, eight people died instantly while the ninth one was certified dead on arrival at the hospital.”
In the wake of this senseless violence, the police are still piecing together the motive, with no arrests made so far.
Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena, the Provincial Police Commissioner, has established a dedicated team to investigate. He condemned the incident, stating,
“The police will work around the clock to ensure that justice is served.”
The community’s outcry extends beyond this single event, highlighting broader safety concerns and frustrations with local law enforcement.
Residents marched to their local police station, protesting the high crime rate and the station’s inaccessibility.
“We have a shortage of vehicles and everything and our police station is in the bush,” said Billy Segwagwe, Chairperson of the Community Policing Forum.
