Three arrested over Cape Flats gang murders

Police have arrested three men in connection with murder and attempted murder cases linked to gang-related shootings on the Cape Flats following coordinated weekend operations by the Western Cape Anti Gang Unit.

The arrests were effected on Saturday evening and continued into the early hours of Sunday morning when detectives, armed with warrants of arrest, descended on various locations in Manenberg, Athlone and Mitchell’s Plain.

The operation forms part of ongoing investigations into shooting incidents that occurred in 2017 and 2025 and are believed to be related to gang fights.

The most recent shooting under investigation took place outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on earlier this month, where a person was shot and killed.

“The latest of the shooting incidents occurred outside the Athlone court on 3 December where a person was killed,'' said Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa. 

“Not far from the court in Kew Town another man was shot and wounded minutes later.

“The arrested suspects, aged 28, 36 and 38 face attempted murder, murder and possession of illegal firearm charges as well as contravention of sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA),'' she said. 

Police said that as investigations gain momentum, additional charges could be added.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain and Athlone magistrates’ courts on Monday, 29 December 2025.

Potelwa said the arrests were part of a broader strategy to combat gang violence in the province.

“The execution of the operation forms part of a comprehensive plan by the South African Police Service in the Western Cape to curb ongoing gang activity and restore order in communities that are plagued by gang violence within the City of Cape Town,” she said.

Potelwa said SAPS, together with other law enforcement agencies, continues to conduct targeted operations at identified hotspots across the Cape Flats, where numerous illegal firearms and ammunition have been confiscated and arrests effected.

“Illegal firearms remain the weapon of choice in gang related shootings occurring on the Cape Flats,” she said.

She added that police visibility and capacity had recently been strengthened with the deployment of approximately 450 additional constables who completed their basic training at SAPS academies in November.

“The tracing of wanted suspects forms part of efforts to effectively address gang violence and its manifestations,” Potelwa said.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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