Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
Three Zimbabweans are among five people who were shot dead by unknown assailants in Atteridgeville, outside Pretoria, on Wednesday afternoon, South African police have confirmed.
The five victims were shot outside a tuck shop at Block JV, and paramedics declared them dead at the scene.
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili, confirmed the incident and said the names of the deceased would be released at the appropriate time.
“I can confirm that three Zimbabweans are among the five people who were shot and killed in Atteridgeville, but I am not at liberty to share their names at this stage,” said Brig Muridili.
She added that the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, had mobilised resources following the shooting incident, which occurred in Atteridgeville, Jeffsville, on January 21, 2026, at about 1:15pm.
“Five people were shot outside a tuck shop at Block JV by unknown assailants. The victims were declared dead on the scene by paramedics,” Brig Muridili said.
According to preliminary investigations, an unknown number of suspects approached the victims, who were standing outside the tuck shop, and opened fire without saying anything before fleeing the scene.
Brig Muridili said the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Investigations Unit, Forensic Crime Scene Management, Crime Intelligence, and the Provincial Tracking Team were investigating the matter and interviewing witnesses.
“A case of five counts of murder will be registered, and the motive for the attack will be part of the investigation,” she added.
The owner of the tuck shop where the shooting occurred confirmed the incident, saying it happened while he was serving a customer. However, he declined to be named for his safety.
“I heard gunshots fired outside and then I saw a body at the entrance; it was horrifying. The customer managed to storm out of the shop. I also fled and only returned when it was safe,” he told journalists.
