Gang-related shootings mar Easter weekend on Cape Flats

Cape Town has seen a surge in violence over the Easter weekend with multiple shootings reported despite the recent deployment of the SANDF.

During the early hours of Saturday morning, at around 2.30am, a 23-year-old male was gunned down in Soetwater Court, Hanover Park, in what is believed to be a gang-related shooting.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel.

Twigg reported: “The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Saturday morning, 4 April 2026, at about 2.30am, in Soetwater Court, Hanover Park, where a 23-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded are under investigation.”

In a separate shooting incident, an 18-year-old was shot dead during the early hours on Monday morning before 5am in Canal Road in Vygieskraal, in what police suspect to be a gang-related shooting.

Twigg added: “Athlone police registered a murder case for investigation following a shooting incident on Monday morning, 6 April 2026, on the corner of Canal Road and Pearl Crescent, Vygieskraal, where an 18-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded. 

“Police members attended the crime scene, where they found the victim with gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is believed to be gang-related. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”

Anyone with any information about this shooting incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

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Cape Argus