Katlehong memorial service shooting leaves two ANCYL members dead, five others wounded
Police confirmed that a suspect handed himself over and is now in custody.
A memorial service in Katlehong, South Africa, turned into a violent scene on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, when a gunman allegedly opened fire on mourners, resulting in the deaths of two ANC Youth League members and injuries to five others, including a child. The shooting took place on Sophangisa Street, Katlehong North, shortly after the victims had left the memorial service for a political party member at Mogobeng Primary School.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that a suspect had surrendered and is now in custody. The Gauteng Political Killings Task Team is leading the investigation. The two deceased victims were aged 23 and 21, while the five injured individuals ranged in age from 12 to 27. Reports indicated that some of the victims suffered bullet wounds to their heads.
The shooting prompted a significant police response, with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni, emergency medical teams, and detectives present at the scene. ANC officials in Gauteng expressed shock and sorrow over the attack, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and urging a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni, led by candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, used the tragedy to call for stricter measures against violent crime in the region. Rasilingwane emphasized the need for arrests, intelligence, and accountability, and urged Parliament's police committee to question senior police leadership regarding their perceived failure to curb violent crime in Ekurhuleni. The investigation is ongoing, with investigators exploring whether the incident was politically motivated.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
