The death toll in a shooting in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, has risen to four after two more people succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday evening after a group of African National Congress (ANC) members attended a memorial service for a fellow party member at Mogobeng Primary School.
Two people, aged 21 and 23, were declared dead at the scene, while five others sustained gunshot wounds. Two of the injured later died in hospital, while three remain under medical care.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the case has been handed over to the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team for further investigation.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the group had been singing in the street after the memorial service when a vehicle approached and an occupant allegedly opened fire.
The alleged shooter is reportedly a former councillor in the area.
Lesufi said the suspect allegedly abandoned the vehicle, got into a taxi and later handed himself over to police.
The premier appealed for calm, saying he personally knew some of the victims.
“It is painful. I personally know some of those young people, they are part of our team working in that area,” he said.
“We call upon our members to remain calm, the matter is now with the law enforcement agencies, and we will do everything within our powers to support the families,” Lesufi added.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Gauteng has condemned the shooting, describing it as a senseless act of violence.
In a statement, the organisation said it was angered and outraged by the killings, adding that no disagreement or conflict could justify the loss of innocent lives.
It has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and urged that those responsible be held accountable.
“The blood of our young people cannot continue to flow in our streets. Their lives matter, their futures matter, and their deaths must not be met with silence,” the youth league said.