Marry Me to be fomalised this winter

Tshwane Mayor, Nasiphi Moya, says the municipality is working on formalising the Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve.

Moya was one of the speakers at a community Imbizo in the area, which first grabbed headlines after seven on-duty CPF members were tragically killed two weeks ago.

Amid concerns of the high crime rate in the area, lack of proper shelter and sewage system, the Tshwane Mayor told residents that the formalisation of the informal settlement will begin in July.

“The fomalisation is confirmed. It will start in July 2025. There is work that will happen between now and July, where we need to locate beneficiaries of Marry Me,” says Moya.

The Tshwane Mayor also warned residents not to fall for scams of people claiming to be selling stands, reminding them that the municipality is the only one given the mandate to do so.

“We don’t have people who are going to sell you stands. If you are a beneficiary, you will get what is due to you by the municipality,” explains Moya.

According to the Mayor, the municipality will also erect solar high-mast lights in the informal settlement to help with visibility at night and potentially deter crime.

“The issue of crime is not just because of lack of police presence. The MMC for housing told me we are bringing high-mast solar lights here. At least when there is light, you won’t have to walk in the dark.”

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, was also at the gathering.

He opened his address by informing the community that another patroller had succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll in the CPF members’ attack to seven.

“I come bearing bad news, that one of the patrollers who were recovering in hospital  has sadly left us. Let us all please stand up and bow our heads, in respect of the fallen patroller and ask God to receive him with warm hands,” requested Premier Lesufi.

The Premier said Philemon Mashabela’s family will receive necessary support during their time of grief.

So far, only one man has been positively linked to the massacre.

The 27-year-old undocumented foreign national currently faces 16 charges, including six murders and attempted murder.

He is due back in the dock on the 17th of this month at the Pretoria North Magistrate Court.

One community patroller told the residents that he is currently facing an assault charge and requested assistance from government officials.

Urging them to do more to protect community crime-fighters and provide them with resources, Isaac Seema said a criminal they caught robbing people at gun point is the one who opened the case against him and his colleagues.

According to Seema, the alleged thief was assaulted by some community members who had decided to take the law into their own hands.

His only crime, he says, was handing the alleged criminal to the police and he later  accused them of assault.

He says they shouldn’t be deemed at fault because they are working in support of the law enforcement.

Seema says the alleged criminal is now out on bail, while patrollers are still on trial.

He also says they need resources and compensation from the government, as they work without any form of support.

A mother whose two sons fell victim to the Marry Me massacre expressed gratitude for the support she’s been receiving.

Mme Sesoko’s son, 35-year-old Philemon Sesoko, died after suffering burns and a head injury from being stoned and set ablaze.

She says although her journey since her two sons’ unfortunate attack has been emotionally draining, she is thankful for the support structure around her.

“It’s not easy for me and my family, but because the government helped us to bury my son, I am thankful because we didn’t have anything, like the mortuary and other stuff, so they did bring things and helped us,” she told YNews.

Philemon’s younger brother, Tshegofatso, is currently battling life threatening injuries in hospital.

His mother says he suffered severe damage to his neck area and is currently struggling to eat.

Philemon was buried this past weekend, with his recuperating brother oblivious of his demise.

Premier Lesufi has told residents that they have beefed up police presence in the informal settlement.

“In terms of crime, the police will increase their numbers, and they will work with the community and ensure that especially on Friday and Saturday nights, their presence is felt in Marry Me,” added Lesufi. Written by Odirile Rabolao