National police commissioner Masemola visits Westbury after teen shooting

National Commissioner of Police General Fannie Masemola has on Wednesday visited the community of Westbury following a mass shooting that claimed the lives of two teenagers and left five others critically injured. The visit comes as police intensify efforts to locate four teenage suspects believed to be behind the attack.

The shooting took place on Tuesday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the Johannesburg suburb, which has long battled gang-related violence. The two deceased victims were identified as 18-year-old Tigan Du Plessis and 17-year-old Diegan Ryters.

“Our men and women in blue are working around the clock to apprehend the four teenage boys that are behind the mass shooting that took place yesterday in Westbury,” General Masemola said during his visit. “We still have five survivors who are fighting for their lives in hospital.”

Masemola said police units, including detectives, crime intelligence officers, and uniformed personnel, have been deployed across Gauteng to track down the suspects. “It is just a matter of time before we track down these teenagers. Our crime intelligence operatives, detectives, and uniformed police are on the ground actively searching for these suspects at various areas of interest,” he said.

The Commissioner confirmed that he continues to receive detailed briefings on the province’s strategy to curb gang activity in areas that have become known hotspots, including Westbury, Eldorado Park, Langlaagte, and Reiger Park.

Masemola said he had given firm instructions to the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner to act against “lolly lounges” in gang-affected communities. “I have instructed the provincial commissioner of Gauteng to deal decisively with these lolly lounges where these children are allegedly bunking school to sit and smoke drugs. We are coming after the owners of these houses and those that are supplying the drugs,” he stated.

The police are also probing the source of the firearms being used by young gang members. “We are investigating the source of where these firearms are coming from and how children as young as 13 years old have access to these firearms,” Masemola said. “We are aware that older gang members are using children as runners to evade justice. We are focusing on these handlers and surely we will find them and make them answer as to why they are destroying the future of these young children.”

The National Commissioner highlighted the ongoing work of the Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), which is operating in eight communities plagued by gang activity. From June to September 2025, the AGU arrested 176 suspects for serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and drugs.

“Among the notable successes, the AGU has arrested 21 suspects for murder, 11 for attempted murder, 94 for drug-related offences, and 24 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,” Masemola said. “This highlights the police’s determination to reduce gang-related crimes.”

AGU detectives have also recorded several convictions. “The AGU detectives have taken multiple new cases and accused to court. Three cases have been concluded with a combined sentence of 17 years and four months for three accused,” Masemola reported.

He listed the sentences as follows: “John Mokate was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition in the Moffatview case.”

“Rowan Lloyd Hilmer was sentenced to eight years for possession of an unlicensed firearm. Two years were wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm in the Langlaagte case.”

“Maurice Jordan Malgas was sentenced to four months imprisonment for possession of drugs in the Langlaagte case.”

The AGU’s proactive efforts have led to significant seizures. These include 26 firearms, 452 rounds of ammunition, two stolen vehicles, over 600 grams of dagga, 480 grams of methcathinone (CAT), and more than 10 000 grams worth of mandrax tablets. Additional items recovered include cellphones, medicine, knives, and cash, all believed to be linked to criminal activities.

Masemola urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with police efforts to dismantle criminal networks. “As the SAPS, we continue to encourage community members to report any suspicious or criminal activity to the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. You may opt to remain anonymous, and all information received will be treated with confidentiality,” he said.

The Commissioner reaffirmed that police deployments in Westbury and other hotspot areas would remain in place. “We urge all these communities to work closely with the police to put an end to gang violence,” he said.

Addressing the suspects directly, Masemola made an appeal. “With this said, the four teenage boys, you know who you are. We are looking for you, but we are also encouraging you to hand yourselves over,” he warned. He added that their photographs could not be circulated publicly as they are minors, in compliance with the Child Justice Act.

Before concluding his address, Masemola commended Gauteng police for a recent breakthrough in another violent case. “Let me congratulate the province for registering a breakthrough in the Bronkhorstpruit tavern shooting in which five people were shot and killed and six wounded on Sunday, 5 October 2025,” he said.

Masemola confirmed that a suspect in that case was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Zithobeni township, where the shooting occurred. “He will appear before the Bronkhorstpruit Magistrate Court tomorrow, Thursday, 23 October 2025, on charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, and being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition,” Masemola stated.