SA Shattered As SAPS Investigates the Fatal Shooting of 17-Year-Old Ekurhuleni Female Learner
- A teenager was shot and killed in Katlehong in Ekurhuleni on 18 March 2025 under circumstances currently under police investigation
- They revealed that two armed men tried to rob her outside of the home when she was allegedly shot
- South Africans were shattered by the incident, with many calling for the law to take its course
- Gary Newham from the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme for the Institute of Security Studies spoke to Briefly News
- Briefly News also spoke to GBV activist Vanessa Govender, who condemned the incident
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered criminal activities, police investigations, police shootouts and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.
Source: Getty Images
KATLEHONG, EKURHULENI — South Africans mourned the devastating loss of a teenager who was shot and killed outside of her home in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni on 18 March 2025.
What happened in Katlehong?
According to SABC News, the incident happened outside of the 17-year-old girl's house. Two armed men reportedly tried to rob her while she was standing outside of the house. It's not clear what the circumstances that led to the shooting were. However, two armed men were seen running towards a car after the shooting took place. No arrests have been made, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) is currently investigating.
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The police also appealed to members of the public to provide information that could assist with the investigation. Tip-offs can be sent anonymously to My SAPS app which citizens can use to share tips.
Recent violent crime statistics
The police released the crime statistics for the third quarter of October to December 2024. The Tembisa Police Station in Ekurhuleni recorded the highest incidents of robbery with aggravating circumstances with 333 cases, a 19.4% increase from the previous quarter.
The entire country recorded 6,259 cases of robbery at residential premises. A total of 961 women were murdered in the same period, and 6,953 cases of murder were reported.
Briefly News speaks to experts
Gary Newham from the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme for the Institute of Security Studies spoke to Briefly News about the incident.
"It will take leaders and people at all levels of society to ensure that we take violence against women seriously. Also, while the criminal justice system can do a lot more, the most effective interventions take place in schools and local level development initiatives that promote a change in attitudes and behaviour that result in men not being violent and women to not accept violence from men," he said.
GBV activist Vanessa Govender also weighed in and condemned the incident.
"Gender-based violence is right up there next to soccer and rugby as one of this natin's biggest sports. It's a bloodsport. We talk about victims and the number of women dead, but we need to relook the angle of the narrative.
"These women haven't just died. They have been killed by men, violent men. But nowhere do we see the stats of how many violent men have murdered the women in this country,"she said.
Recent violent killings
- A little boy was shot and killed in Edenvale, Ekurhuleni, in January when thieves robbed a McDonald's.
- A 65-year-old woman was brutally shot over 20 times and killed in her home in KwaZulu-Natal in February after unknown suspects stormed her homestead.
- CCTV footage showed the fateful moment openly gay Imam Muhsin Hendricks was gunned down in Gqeberha.
- Three women were gunned down in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape after a gunman stormed a homestead and opened fire.
- A Johannesburg police officer reportedly shot and killed his girlfriend in Doornfontein in August 2024 before taking his own life.
What did South Africans say?
Netizens were shaken by the death and commented on SABC News' Facebook page.
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Luzuko Gwama said:
"Terrible things are happening to our children. We need to pray hard for the safety of our children."
Ttk Ochoa Vasquez said:
"No one is safe in the Republic of South Africa."
Hilton Ernest Matafale said:
"South Africa has now become a dangerous place to live in. Your safety is not guaranteed."
Sonia Kimasisi said:
"Killing a 17-year-old in cold blood. Oh, I can only imagine how terrified she must have been. What a cruel world.
Ashim Kakembo said:
"Strong sentence or punishment should be given to whoever is found with a gun without a license."
Zweli Madonsela said:
"There are too many guns in South Africa."
Police officer kills son and lover
In a related article, Briefly News reported that a police officer in Limpopo was arrested in February for his alleged involvement in the death of his son and his son's girlfriend. The incident happened in Botlokwa in Mokomene-Mashaba.
It's alleged that the officer's son was found with bullet wounds and a sharp instrument in his hand. The girlfriend was rushed to hospital where she later died from her injuries.
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Source: Briefly News
