The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Gauteng has condemned the killing of four of its members who were attending a memorial service in Katlehong.
The ANCYL members were shot during a memorial service of another member who was shot recently at Mandela Informal Settlement, on Tuesday, 12 October. Two were killed instantly while five were rushed to hospital. Sadly, two succumbed to their injuries while three remain hospitalised.
The youth league has since described as barbaric, unacceptable and an assault on the lives and aspirations of young people.
FOUR ANCYL MEMBERS KILLED IN KATLEHONG
ANCYL Gauteng provincial secretary Mpume Sangweni said the continued killing of young people in communities was an intolerable tragedy.
“We cannot continue to bury our youth while armed perpetrators terrorise our communities. Every life lost is a family shattered, a community traumatised and a future violently cut short.
“The ANCYL in Gauteng extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends and comrades of the deceased. We wish those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery and stand in solidarity with the affected families and the entire ANCYL fraternity during this painful period,” Sangweni said.
VISUALS: Members of the ANCYL in Gauteng are protesting outside the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 15, 2026
This as the suspect in the Katlehong shooting, which has since claimed four lives, makes his first court appearance. The deceased are believed to be ANCYL members in the province… pic.twitter.com/LjYuMC4gUB
MAN HANDS HIMSELF OVER TO POLICE
According to the Gauteng provincial government, a man has handed himself over to the police in connection with the shooting.
Sangweni welcomed the development and called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that justice takes its course.
“We call on the South African Police Service in Gauteng to intensify its efforts to combat violent crime and the proliferation of illegal firearms. The guns that continue to take innocent lives in our communities must be silenced.
“Our communities cannot remain hostage to violence, and young people must be able to gather, organise and participate in community life without fearing for their lives,” she said.