‘I fear that those killers have come to kill me too’ – night patroller

‘Every time a rat passes by inside my shack, I fear that those killers have come to kill me too.”

These are words of one of the night patrollers at the Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve, expressing fear for his life after five colleagues were murdered.

The father of two added that ever since the killings, he has been struggling to sleep and lives in fear.

“I have never slept well at… After the brutal death of my colleagues, waking up with red and swollen eyes, and constantly thinking about them,” *Samuel Mathibela said.

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi visited the area on Sunday to extend his condolences to the victims' families. He also confirmed that the number of deaths had risen from four to five.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that a deadly altercation between patrollers and a group in Soshanguve left four people shot and burned on Saturday, with eight others hospitalized.

Lesufi revealed that the murders are suspected to be linked to extortion, where residents pay R50 patrollers for safety, another R50 for water, and R350 for electricity, with a kingpin believed to be in jail.

Speaking with IOL News, Mathibela said they were 15 in number when they started to volunteer to ensure safety in the area.

“We called a community meeting, and we volunteered to patrol at night because there’s a lot of crime in this area at night.”

He added that after starting a group of night patrollers last year, which was approved by the locals, they set rules restricting the residents from walking at night after midnight.

“We told the residents that immediately when it hits 12am, we don't want to see anyone on the streets or any movement. Because we know that at night that’s where a lot of crime happens,” Mathibela said.

Their nightly patrol starts at 8pm, and continues to 5am, but he explained that the times vary to prevent criminals from learning their schedule.

“We decided to stand on our own because the police were doing nothing, while we were getting robbed almost every day,” Mathibela added.

He explained that they only carry a stick during their patrols due to a lack of resources.

“It's a huge challenge, because we only carry sticks, while criminals carry guns.”

Mathibela, however, denied the claims of receiving money from locals for their job.

“We don’t get anything from the community, we are just volunteering,” he said

Despite the brutal attacks that left five patrollers dead, Mathibela said he remains committed to continuing his work, stating if he stops, crime will worsen.

Meanwhile, Joseph Kgomo, the uncle of Katlego Philemon Sesoko (34), one of the patrollers killed, said the patrollers were paid R50 every month from each shack.

“My nephew was someone who was patrolling here at night and protecting the community. He volunteered to be part of the night patrol, and they were getting R50 per month from every household.”

Kgomo said the family had been devastated by Sesoko’s death, and they hope the police will uncover the truth.

“We never thought it would end like this. We are just pinning our hopes on the police investigations to tell us what happened,” Kgomo said.

Lesufi said police investigations have uncovered four groups managing payments in the area, one for safety, one for water, one for electricity, and another one that opposes the collection of the money.

“Police have told me that a significant amount of money is being collected monthly at the informal settlement, with residents being forced to pay for services.”

Lesufi also suggested that the attack may be linked to an extortion scheme and fighting for control over the businesses.

“I have got detailed information, including people who are in prison, but they are still coordinating activities outside prison, with the ringleaders overseeing the operations in this community,” he said.

Six suspects linked to the murder of the patrollers have been arrested, Lesufi said.

*Samuel Mathibela is not his real name.

Cape Times