A 32-year-old man has been arrested in Mitchell’s Plain following a deadly shooting that left two women dead and a 12-year-old boy wounded. Police confirmed that the incident took place on Thursday afternoon, 6 November 2025, at around 15:00 on Wespoort Drive in the Portlands area.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, officers responded to reports of gunfire and found a horrific scene.
“Mitchell’s Plain police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Thursday afternoon at about 15:00 in Wespoort Drive, Portlands, where two females aged 26 and 30 were shot and fatally wounded and a 12-year-old boy wounded,” said Twigg.
Police say the suspect, who is related to the victims, allegedly approached the trio before opening fire.
The 26-year-old woman died on the scene, while the 30-year-old woman and the child were rushed to a nearby hospital. Tragically, the 30-year-old was declared dead on arrival, while the young boy remains under medical care.
Investigators believe the motive behind the shooting is domestic-related, although specific details have not yet been disclosed.
“According to reports, the victims were approached by a relative who opened fire on them. The motive for the attack is believed to be domestic related,” Twigg added.
The man was arrested shortly after the incident and is expected to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court once he has been formally charged. Police have opened cases of murder and attempted murder, and detectives are continuing their investigation.
Authorities have urged residents who may have witnessed the shooting to come forward with information.
In a separate but possibly unrelated incident earlier the same day, another person was shot in Beacon Valley, also in Mitchell’s Plain.
Police are investigating whether the two shootings may be linked, though early indications suggest they were separate events.
The Western Cape has seen a concerning rise in gun-related violence in recent months, with domestic disputes and gang activity contributing to the surge.
