Jerome Lottering dies in fatal Riverlea shooting
Fatal Riverlea shooting death of Jerome Lottering – Obituary
Jerome Lottering, 59, was killed by a stray bullet during a violent clash between law enforcement and illegal miners in the Zamimpilo informal settlement, Riverlea. The deadly incident occurred as police chased three suspects into the area, resulting in a firefight.
Lottering had been walking home from work when he was caught in the gunfire and fatally struck. According to his sister, the family had often urged him to leave the settlement for his safety. “We asked him repeatedly to come live with us, but he never agreed,” she shared.
His wife echoed similar concerns, saying she had feared for his life in the area. “I warned him that if he stayed, one day he would be taken out in a body bag. I was devastated to find him dead,” she said.
A resident described the scene as chaotic, with bullets flying as Lottering returned home. “It was a shootout between the police and criminals. Jerome was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the neighbor recounted.
Colonel Mavela Masondo, a spokesperson for Gauteng police, verified the fatal shooting and confirmed an investigation is underway. “We have opened a murder case and are continuing our inquiries,” he said.
In response to the tragedy, local residents expressed outrage and attempted to shut down a nearby main road in protest.
