A fiery gang war in Cape Town escalated on Friday morning when a man was shot dead outside the Athlone magistrate’s court shooting incident.
Man gunned down outside Athlone court
According to police, the victim was gunned down on the court premises by an unidentified shooter who fled the scene.
Detectives later recovered a firearm and other belongings linked to the incident. Two other people – a man and a woman – were shot and injured nearby in separate attacks.
Both were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Police believe the man killed at the court was due to appear as an accused in an ongoing criminal case.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that its Anti-Gang Unit has taken over the investigation. Cases of murder and two attempted murders have been registered.
Law enforcement has since increased its presence in Athlone, deploying more officers to monitor the area and search for the gunmen.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said:
“We have bolstered deployment in Athlone to restore calm and ensure community safety while detectives continue to track down those responsible.”
Gang violence gripping Cape Flats
This incident comes amid a broader wave of violence across Cape Town’s Cape Flats communities.
According to the organisation Fight Against Crime South Africa (FACSA), Mitchells Plain alone saw more than 50 shootings in one week between 25 and 31 August, leaving 26 people dead and 20 critically injured.
FACSA urged government to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to stabilise the area, saying:
“We need order within our communities. Violence in Beacon Valley has increased dramatically, and families are living in fear.”
Community leaders and crime experts warn that unless intelligence-led policing improves, Cape Town will remain in crisis. National Police Committee member Ian Cameron called the situation “horrific”, adding that police often operate “blind” due to poor intelligence structures.
He argued that giving the City of Cape Town more policing powers could ease pressure on SAPS:
“Allowing the City to investigate gang-related gun offences and run forensic tests would free up SAPS resources and speed up investigations.”
For many residents of the Cape Flats, the daily violence has become unbearable. Parents say their children cannot play outside, and people lock themselves indoors before sunset. Community activist Veronique Benji Williams said opportunities for young people must form part of the solution:
“Gang leaders feed our children because they feel neglected. We need to start investing in our children and their futures.”
