Pretoria: The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has raised the alarm on the escalating levels of gun violence in the province. This follows a mass shooting in Tshwane over the weekend and the murder of a witness of the Madlanga Commission.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety is gravely concerned about the escalating levels of gun violence that continue to transform communities across the province into everyday crime scenes. The recent mass shooting in Saulsville, Pretoria, serves as yet another tragic reminder of the urgent need to rid the streets of illegal firearms, as stated by the committee.

The devastating incident in Saulsville resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people, with 14 others injured. The committee expressed deep distress over the fact that among the deceased were three minors and women, whose lives were abruptly ended in what they described as a senseless act of brutality. They extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The committee emphasized that this tragic event underscores a deeply concerning trend where illegal guns circulate freely within communities, enabling deadly attacks that devastate families and compromise citizen safety. It views this incident as a serious call for concern and reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying efforts to advocate for and achieve a gun-free Gauteng.

Adding to the concern, the committee expressed shock over the disturbing development where a witness in the Madlanga Commission was murdered on Friday. Reports indicate that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the attack, demonstrating the use of high-calibre weapons in violent crimes. The tragic death of Witness D, who was gunned down outside his home, highlights the critical need to remove illegal firearms from the streets.

The committee called on law enforcement to ensure the swift apprehension and justice for the perpetrators behind these heinous crimes. It also urged community members to fully cooperate with the police to aid in the urgent arrest of the three suspects linked to the Saulsville shooting. The committee maintained that the proliferation of illegal firearms poses a grave threat to the safety and well-being of all residents in Gauteng.