Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi Declares War on Crime, Vows Justice for Slain Ditebogo Phalane

• Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said his visit to the home of the murdered Soshanguve five-year-old was declaring war against crime
• The Premier and Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko visited the family to pay their respects on 13 May 2024
• Lesufi further told the Phalane family that police were instructed to do everything in their power to track down those behind the murder

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered court proceedings and current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said his visit to the home of slain Ditebogo Junior Phalane was about declaring war against crime.

Panyaza Lesufi promises family justice

Lesufi told the Phalane family that police were instructed to do everything in their power to track down those behind the murder of the five-year-old.

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Tshwane mayor Clint Brink’s visit to bereaved Phalane family ignites online discussion

According to SABC News, the Premier and Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko were some government and political heads who visited the family to pay their respects on 13 May 2024.

Earlier that day, Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink visited the home to pay his and the City’s respects.

Ditebogo Junior was shot when his father was hijacked by a group of men outside their Soshanguve home in Tshwane on 10 May 2024. Briefly News reported after the incident, Phalane’s dad rushed his son to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead.

Netizens weigh in

Many social media users shared their views on Lesufi’s visit and comments.

@velawama said:

“He is there only for votes”

@Rerig10 asked:

“He said if crime goes up he is resigning. Is this not the worst type of crime?! He should be long gone.”

Read also

Soshanguve family distraught as 5-year-old killed in hijacking, Mzansi horrified by incident

@AbbasMkhize added:

“The ANC should have replaced Ramaphosa with Panyaza by now. Ramaphosa will cost the ANC a lot this year.”

@robjunior1234 commented:

“Absolutely sickening these politicians. If it wasn't election time, they wouldn't care. How many other children have been murdered or raped in this country, but nothing’s said?”

@kenkoen commented:

“Low life, destructive, self-serving, degenerate @MYANC ‘Liberation Movement’ ‘Comrades and Cadres’ destroy the country, create anarchy, and then pose.”

South Africans unite in support of Ditebogo Junior’s family

Briefly News reported that Mzansi rallied behind Ditebogo Junior Phalane's family with ransom money to help find killers.

Police launched a search for the suspects and pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

Ditebogo Junior ran outside his home to welcome his father, who had returned from running errands when a bullet struck the boy.

Source: Briefly News