The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety unequivocally condemns the continued surge in gun-related violence across the Province and reiterates its urgent call for a Gun-Free Gauteng.
The recent brutal killing of Ms Martha Mani, an employee of the Emfuleni Local Municipality, who was gunned down in broad daylight in Vanderbijlpark, has sent shockwaves across communities.
While the motive for this heinous crime remains unknown, allegations suggesting that the deceased may have been a whistleblower in a corruption-related matter, though unconfirmed, raise serious concerns about the safety of individuals who stand for accountability and ethical governance.
The Committee views this incident in an extremely serious light and welcomes the swift intervention of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Political Killings Task Team in taking over the investigation. The Committee calls for a thorough, transparent and expedited investigation to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and face the full might of the law.
This tragic incident is not isolated. In a separate case in Ormonde last week, a businessman and his security guard were fatally shot during an alleged armed robbery, while another guard and a suspect sustained injuries.
These incidents highlight a deeply troubling pattern of violence that continues to erode public safety and destabilise communities.
The Committee is gravely concerned about the proliferation of firearms in Gauteng.
The ease with which perpetrators access and use guns to commit violent crimes is a direct threat to the constitutional rights of residents, particularly the right to life and safety.
It is the firm view of the Committee that there are simply too many firearms circulating within our communities and that decisive, collective action is required to address this crisis.
The Committee therefore intensifies its call for a Gun-Free Gauteng, urging all sectors of society, including civil society organisations, community structures, law enforcement agencies and residents to actively support initiatives aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating the presence of illegal firearms in our streets.
The Committee further calls for strengthened law enforcement operations targeting illegal firearms, enhanced intelligence-driven policing and community mobilisation against gun violence.
Gun violence is not just a law enforcement issue, it is a societal crisis that demands a united response. The people of Gauteng deserve to live in communities free from fear, where streets are safe and lives are protected.
ISSUED BY GPL’S MEDIA SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY SAFETY, HONOURABLE BANDILE MASUKU
