Marry Me attack survivor ‘unaware’ brother is dead
Augustine Mokela said his nephew Tshegofatso Seshoko (24) was fighting for his life in hospital after surviving an attack in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Six people, including Seshoko’s brother Philemon (37), were shot and then torched by a group of at least five assailants while patrolling in the informal settlement in Soshanguve.
On Wednesday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi led a memorial service for the victims where the grieving families were invited to speak.
Mokela described how his nephew’s head was crushed with a rock after he was shot and then set alight.
He said they were afraid to inform him of his brother’s death.
“We’re afraid to tell him because we fear that he may not recover.”
Seshoka’s late brother leaves behind three minor children and an unemployed wife.
While Mokela described the daily desperation the deceased and his family were living with, Seshoko’s young wife wailed uncontrollably in the audience.
‘GIVE THE YOUTH JOBS’
Katlego Motloutsi’s aunt said he died a hero.
The 31-year-old left his family in Tzaneen Limpopo in search of employment and hoping to become the breadwinner for his family, when he settled in Marry Me.
He joined the group of unarmed patrollers to protect the community from rampant criminality and extortion.
“My plea to the government, please help us and let’s create jobs for young people. So they can work and stop loitering in the streets. Our children are vulnerable, and they become victims even where this should not be the case,” she said.
[WATCH] The aunt of Katlego Motloutsi (31) says her nephew was a hero. She calls on government to create jobs for the youth so they don’t find themselves in the same vulnerable position Katlego &the other 5 victims found themselves in. #MarryMe #SoshanguveShooting pic.twitter.com/4wvp3S8XES
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 26, 2025
Premier Lesufi promised to support the bereaved families and assist with the funerals.
Two suspects, aged 27 and 50, appeared before the Pretoria North Magistrates Court earlier in the day.
According to a Hawks’ statement, the pair were arrested in separate locations and were found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“According to the information, the suspects are allegedly linked to murders and house robberies that occurred on 21 February 2025,” read the statement.
However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) clarified that the men were not linked to the mass shooting, and a charge of murder was not proffered against them.
READ: Suspects ‘not linked’ to Soshanguve killings - NPA
Addressing the crowd gathered under the marquee for the memorial service and imbizo, Lesufi assured them that he kept his promise that the perpetrators would be arrested within three days.
Lesufi also claimed the two men who appeared before the court had confessed to the crime.
“I promised you, that within 72 hours, they can run, they can hide, they can go to their inyanga, we will get them.”
[WATCH] Despite the NPA confirming that 2 suspects who appeared before the Pretoria North Mag Court have not been charged for the murder of 6 community patrollers in the #MarryMe informal settlement, Premier Panyaza Lesufi tells the community that they have confessed pic.twitter.com/GOTL1tAoyr
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 26, 2025
In a statement, NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said: “They are both facing a charge of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition. The 27-year-old man is facing an additional charge of being illegal in the country…
“The arrest comes after police were investigating the incident where patrol members were killed in Soshanguve.”
The 27-year-old abandoned bail, while the 50-year-old suspect told the court he needed medical attention after he was allegedly assaulted by police and expressed his intention to apply for bail.
The matter was postponed to 1 April for further investigation and bail information.
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