A Muizenberg mass shooting in the early hours of Wednesday morning has left four men dead, with police investigators now working to uncover what led to the deadly attack.
What happened in Overcome Heights?
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel André Traut, the bodies of four men, aged between 20 and 37, were discovered at around 05:30 on Mountain Road in Overcome Heights, Muizenberg. All had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Detectives from the Anti-Gang Unit — a special police team that focuses on gang-related crime — have been assigned to the case. While investigators have not ruled out gangsterism as a possible motive, they say they are exploring all possible leads to find those responsible.
“This investigation is a priority,” Traut said.
“Our detectives are working tirelessly to determine the exact events that led to this incident.”
The latest shooting adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Overcome Heights in recent months. In March 2025, police reported multiple deadly attacks in the same area:
- On 29 March, two men were killed and three others injured when gunmen opened fire.
- Just days earlier, on 25 March, a 21-year-old man was fatally shot and four others wounded in what police believed was a gang-related shooting.
While the motives in those incidents remain under investigation, police have said they may be linked to ongoing gang disputes and tensions within the local taxi industry.
In March, Western Cape police increased their presence in Overcome Heights, deploying the Anti-Gang Unit alongside other law enforcement agencies. These teams were tasked with high-visibility patrols and “high density operations” to deter further violence.
Residents in the area have expressed fear and frustration, saying the constant threat of violence has made daily life unsafe. With no arrests yet in the latest case, many are worried about potential retaliation attacks.
Colonel Traut urged anyone with information to come forward, saying community cooperation is vital to stopping the cycle of violence.