The families of the two women killed in last night’s shooting in Reiger Park, alongside the two Anti-Gang Unit police constables, say that they’re struggling to come to terms with what happened.
Family members spoke to the media during a visit of Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, earlier today.
One of the four people who were fatally shot has been described as generous, jovial, and dedicated to her family. 31-year-old Roleen Lessing died together with two SAPS Anti-Gang Unit members and another woman.
The two police officers were ambushed when they responded to gunshots in the area while on a crime prevention operation.
No arrests have been made so far.
Lessing’s cousin, Sharney Blackmail, says the incident has left them speechless.
“I think many of us are lost for words because no one expects something like this to happen to your loved one. You see other people go through it, and once that thing is close to home for us, we are no strangers to violence because we were born and raised in Reiger Park as an area. Unfortunately, as you try to rise above the circumstances, there are challenges we can’t prevent from happening to our loved ones,” says Blackmail.
Xhakaza says the city will mobilise all available resources to tackle drugs and gangsterism, following the deadly shooting.
He says the city’s metro police will be mobilised to support efforts to deal with drugs and gangsterism, while awaiting a full report from the police.
He was speaking to the media in Reiger Park after visiting the affected families.
“All what we can commit to the community is that all available resources, our own EMPD, we have a number of units that are on the ground, there are various interventions that are being done to deal with drugs and gangsterism. But I am certain that the report will be given accordingly by the South African Police Service. Ours is to make sure we mobilise our own EMPD,” he says.
Reiger Park shooting | Ekurhuleni Mayor visits victims’ families: