An 18-year-old from Westbury, Johannesburg, has shared a heartbreaking account of how his close friend died while shielding him during a deadly gang-related mass shooting. The tragic incident, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, 21 October 2025, has once again exposed the deep-rooted gang violence plaguing the community.
According to the survivor, he and six friends were sitting together in a yard when four young men, three of them armed, suddenly opened fire without warning. “We were just chilling when they started shooting. I dropped to the ground, and my friend took the shots that were meant for me,” he recalled, still shaken by the ordeal.
The attack claimed the lives of two teenagers — 18-year-old Tigan du Plessis and 17-year-old Diegan Ryters — and left five others, including the survivor, injured. He was shot in the ear and twice in the leg. One of the bullets remains lodged in his ear, affecting his hearing.
The teenager revealed that this was not the first time the same house had been attacked. “This is the second time they’ve come to shoot at this house. The first time, one of us was shot in the leg,” he explained. Despite the repeated violence, he insists that neither he nor his friends are gang members. “We are not part of any gang. We’re just spoiled brats whose parents buy us nice clothes. This is jealousy — nothing else,” he said.
Police sources confirmed that the suspects involved are known to both the community and authorities. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola condemned the shooting and expressed concern about the increasing number of young people being used by gangs. “We are seeing a disturbing trend where children are being recruited as runners and informants for gang operations,” she warned.
Community members have voiced outrage over the ongoing violence, calling for increased police patrols and the re-establishment of youth programs aimed at steering children away from gang life. Residents say they live in constant fear, as shootings and drive-by attacks have become a common occurrence in the area.
The young survivor, who dropped out of school in Grade 10 because of the violence, now hopes to return and rebuild his life. He is also determined to see justice served for his friends. “Tigan and Diegan were always smiling, always making jokes. They didn’t deserve this,” he said softly.
The Westbury community continues to grapple with grief and trauma, mourning the loss of yet more young lives to senseless gang warfare. Police have promised to intensify their investigation and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Meanwhile, residents are pleading for long-term intervention and meaningful action to restore peace to their embattled neighbourhood.
The teenager’s story serves as a chilling reminder of how deeply gang violence has infiltrated Johannesburg’s townships — and how innocent lives continue to be caught in the crossfire.
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