‘Soshanguve siblings’ murder shows moral degeneration’

The teacher of one of the children killed in Soshanguve says she’s struggling to come to terms with the death of one of her brightest students.

Tinyiko Masha (7) and her 4-year-old sister, Mpfumo, were shot dead in their home last week Sunday.

It is alleged that a gunman entered the shack where the children were, looking for their father before opening fire on them.

The suspect is said to have also set the shack alight before fleeing the scene.

Speaking to YNews, J Mabapa says Tinyiko was a hardworking learner and had already passed the second term.

 

Family, friends and the community of Soshanguve gathered on Friday to lay the young siblings to rest.

Tinyiko was a Grade 2 learner at Lesedi Primary School.

The grandfather of both children, Abel Rakgedi, says they pair will be fondly missed.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect(s), whilst investigations continue.

Soshanguve has become a crime hotspot, which has raised concerns for members of the community.

The siblings’ murder comes a few weeks after five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane Jr was shot and killed in the township during a hijacking incident outside his home.

Mabapa says they are living in fear.

Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, has raised concern over the murder of the Masha siblings.

“This is a devastating loss, and my heart goes out to the family and the entire school community. We call upon law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to book. The safety and well-being of our learners is paramount, and such acts of violence are unacceptable and must be addressed with the utmost seriousness,” said MEC Chiloane.

MEDIA STATEMENT@EducationGP1 MEC @matomekopano is extremely shocked and saddened by an incident that occurred on Sunday, 2 June 2024, where a 7-year-old Grade 2 girl from Lesedi Primary School in Soshanguve, and her 4-year-old sister, were fatally shot inside their family home pic.twitter.com/ocQPttD7VR

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) June 6, 2024

Police minister, Bheki Cele, says it is concerning to see children being killed in such a cruel manner.

He says police definitely need to do better to prevent such brutal crimes.

According to the police, the people who killed the Masha siblings began their shooting spree at a nearby tavern, leaving two adults dead and four others injured.

Mpfumo and Tinyiko’s murders occurred during Child Protection Week, which runs from 29 May to 5 June, annually.

According to the siblings’ mother, their assailant said he killed them because their father loved money.

Teddy Bear Foundation Director, Dr Shaheda Omar, says the increasing trend of children being drawn into adult’s issues is worrying.

Speaking to YNews, Omar says the country needs to really band together to keep children safe.

@ThabisoTema every township, Alex, Tembisa, Mamelodi, Khayelitsha… has cases like tsa Soshanguve – difference ke reporting.

Go to courts of those townships, otla bona gore prosecutors are dealing with murder of children.

RSA generally has problem ya crime#PowerBreakfast

— -.-̶̯͡»̶̥·̵̭̌✽ The Beekeeper of ThornTreeView (@motsepe_rems) June 7, 2024

DailySun Mike Sibisi community leader central Soshanguve said the killing of the two children, Tinyiko Mashaba (7) and Mpfumo Mashaba (4) of Soshanguve must be the first and last. pic.twitter.com/EVkgOE8ED2

— Aaron Dube (@AronDube) June 6, 2024

SANDF must be deployed to Soshanguve!!! Children are dying of shooting there yoh!!!

— Xolani (@RealXollani) June 5, 2024

Not a day goes by without Soshanguve on the news, fact that children are always involved is scary. If nothing is done ASAP I fear for the children of that community

— House2House (@MlangeniTimothy) June 5, 2024