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Shooting in Ratanda Leaves Two Dead and Community in Shock The South African Police Service in Ratanda has officially confirmed that a fatal shooting incident that took place on Friday evening (March 1) at Mtshali Street in Ratanda. According to the police reports, two African males, both adults, were shot by unidentified assailants who fled the scene during loadshedding, a period of scheduled power outages in the area. Sadly, both victims succumbed to their injuries on the scene, despite efforts by paramedics to save them. One of the deceased has been identified as Mr. Happy Nyawuza, the Chairperson of the Ratanda Spaza Shops Business Forum. The second victim’s identity has not yet been released by the authorities. Nyawuza is known as an active community leader who has been instrumental in advocating for residents in Ratanda and surrounding areas in service delivery issues. He will be remembered as a strong political figure and local activist in the Lesedi Local region. Nyawuza is the third victim from the forum to be tragically assasinated by unknown perpetrators. A few weeks earlier, Moeketsi Mollo and Mandla Mqoqo, both local business owners, were also gunned down. “Upon investigating the crime
scene, the police recovered several cartridges, but the exact number of suspects involved remains unclear at this point. As of now, the motive behind the shooting is unknown,” confirmed the Ratanda SAPS spokesperson Constable Moss Maluleke. Police have provided contact numbers for anyone with information to reach out to them: • Ratanda CSC: 016 343 7014 •Det. Commander: 0766924853 Anyone can also report anonymously on the MySAPS app.
The community of Ratanda is in shock following this tragic event. The state of crime in the area has dramatically increased in recent times, following the removal of foreign Spaza shop owners.
Mapepeza wishes to share its sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. More updates will be shared as time progresses.
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+27 (078) 221 8002 The late Happy Nyawuza recently led the introduction of a group that is made to reclaim the retail economy of Ratanda called Mazibuye Kasi Spaza Shops.
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Residents are calling for an end to the violence and for the authorities to take swift action in bringing those responsible to justice.
The Executive Mayor of the Lesedi Local Municipality, Cllr Mluleki Nkosi, has issued a strong condemnation of the recent killings in Ratanda. He expressed his concern over the growing number of merciless killings happening in the community at the hands of faceless assailants. In a statement, Mayor Nkosi said, “Our law enforcement agencies are hard at work to ensure that those responsible are brought to book. On behalf of Lesedi local Municipality, I wish to pass our deepest condolences to the families that have been victims of these merciless killings.” He urged anyone with information to approach law enforcement offices and help shed light on these attacks.
Vol. 11 Issue #4: 15-22 March 2024
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