THE ANC in Gauteng said they view the shooting that took place in Zakariyya Park, south of Joburg as a calculated, cold-blooded murder and an unforgivable crime.
Lesego Makhubela, the Gauteng ANC spokesman, said they view this as an open declaration of war against the authority of the state by criminals.
“We view this heinous crime as an open declaration of war as it took place in broad daylight in the presence of hundreds of young learners and their teachers. The murder of comrade Teboho Joala and his protector as well as the tragic shooting of the City of Johannesburg’s Chief Whip and others is a great tragedy which has inflicted scars on innocent children and teachers who witnessed it,” Makhubela said.
He said the ANC strongly condemns this brutal act and urges law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring those responsible to book.
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“We pray for a speedy recovery of one of the most hard-working servants of the people of Johannesburg, Cllr Sithembiso Zungu, as well as the protectors who were shot in the attack. We further commend the timely intervention of the Gauteng Department of Education led by MEC Matome Chiloane who have pledged to offer counselling to the pupils and teachers who were present when the attack took place,” said Makhubela.
Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona said they are aware of an incident that took place on Monday, 29 January, where a fatal shooting broke out during a charity event aimed at distributing school shoes to pupils in and around Lehae.
Mabona said that about 75 pupils from Lehae Primary School, Olifantsvlei Primary School, Moses Marne Missions Technical School, and Elethu Themba Public School were in attendance when the incident happened.
Mabona said they have sent psychosocial support to all affected schools to provide necessary trauma counselling.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane conveyed his condolences to families of the deceased and wish the ward councillor a speedy recovery.
