A deadly wave of gang violence has gripped Cape Town once again after three men were shot and killed in Philippi East on Tuesday night, 4 November 2025.
Police say the victims were executed in what appears to be a planned and targeted attack, the latest in a series of killings that have left residents fearful and authorities stretched thin.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel André Traut, officers were called to Sheffield Road in the Marikana informal settlement around 19:10 SAST, where they discovered the bodies of three men aged 27, 30, and 38. All three had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
“Preliminary reports suggest that the victims were executed in a cold-blooded manner,” said Traut.
“Detectives attached to the Serious and Violent Crime Unit have been assigned to the case and are pursuing all possible leads to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The latest Philippi East shooting comes less than a month after seven men were killed in the nearby Better Life informal settlement on 17 October 2025, in what authorities described as another coordinated gang-related hit.
Police believe both incidents may be linked to ongoing turf wars between rival gangs competing for control over extortion and drug territories in the area.
Operation Shanela II, a provincial policing initiative designed to stabilise gang hotspots, has been intensified in Philippi East following the latest killings. Heavily armed officers were seen patrolling the township through the night, with roadblocks set up on major access routes.
Colonel Traut said community cooperation remains critical to solving the case.
“The Western Cape SAPS appeals to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward,” he said.
“Information may be shared anonymously through Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS mobile app.”
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, previously condemned the violence in Philippi East, describing it as part of a pattern of organised attacks on vulnerable communities.
“These are not just random acts of violence,” Marais said last month.
“They are coordinated, violent assaults on communities already under siege. Those responsible must face the full might of the law, including those who supply the firearms.”
Marais also urged residents to work with law enforcement, saying police cannot tackle the violence on their own.
“We need our communities to stand with us and stand together. The police cannot do this alone,” she said.
Community leaders in Philippi East say residents are living in fear as gang-related shootings have become more frequent. Some have criticised the slow pace of investigations and the lack of visible policing, while others have called for stronger intervention from both local and national government.
Police have yet to make any arrests in Tuesday night’s killings. Detectives are analysing forensic evidence and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby shops in hopes of identifying the suspects.
Authorities have pledged to maintain a strong police presence in Philippi East in the days ahead as part of efforts to prevent retaliatory attacks.
