1Five Zimbabweans Shot Dead in MzansiPretoria — A brutal midday shooting in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, has left five Zimbabwean nationals dead, sending shockwaves through migrant communities in South Africa and across the border, after unknown gunmen opened fire outside a tuck shop in Jeffsville on Wednesday.
Three of the victims were brothers from the Moyo family, while the remaining two were also siblings from Zimbabwe and close friends of the Moyo brothers.“I was serving a customer when I suddenly heard gunshots,” he said. “Then I saw a body lying at the entrance. It was horrifying. The customer ran out, and I also fled. I only came back when it was safe.”
Residents of Jeffsville said fear has gripped the area following the killings, with many unwilling to speak out due to fears of retaliation.
“People are scared. You don’t know who might be connected to the attackers,” one resident said.
Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for the killers. Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed that the shooting took place at around 13:15 on Wednesday at Block JV in Jeffsville.
“Five people were shot and killed outside a tuck shop by unknown suspects,” said Mthombeni. “An unknown number of assailants approached the victims, who were standing outside the shop, and opened fire without saying a word before fleeing the scene.”
Paramedics declared all five victims As far as I know, my brothers had no enemies. They were always together and kept to themselves.”
She added that the two other victims were siblings from Zimbabwe and friends of her brothers.
Local business directory
The uncle of the deceased, Lucky Mncube, described the killings as devastating, saying the young men survived on odd jobs and were not involved in any criminal activity.
“These were hardworking boys who were just trying to make ends meet. Now five families have been destroyed,” he said.
Mncube said the families are now battling to raise money to transport the bodies to Zimbabwe for burial, estimating that it will cost at least R20,000 per body.
“We are appealing to well-wishers for help. The costs are overwhelming for us,” he said.
The owner of the tuck shop where the shooting occurred confirmed the incident but requested anonymity for security reasons.The sister to the three brothers, Thandi Moyo, said she last saw them leave home on Wednesday morning, never imagining it would be the final time she would see them alive.
The deceased — Shein Moyo, Shelton Moyo and Mike Nkala — were described by relatives as well-behaved, hardworking young men who did not deserve such a violent and senseless death.
“I was on my way to the shop when I was told my brothers were among those shot dead,” said Thandi, fighting back tears. “I felt so weak. I couldn’t believe it. When I arrived to identify their bodies, I completely broke down. People were too scared to talk, so we couldn’t get any answers.”
She said the family remains traumatised and confused about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“We were told that unknown people arrived and just started shooting before fleeing. We don’t know the motive. We are still in shock,” she said.
