Mitchells Plain woman, 46, shot dead in suspected drive-by shooting
Crime scene Woman shot dead
Image: supplied
A Mitchells Plain woman was shot dead while walking with what is believed to be her outjie on Thursday night.
The incident took place at around 9.50pm Merrydale Avenue in Rocklands when unknown gunmen fired rounds from a vehicle and struck the 46-year-old woman three times in the chest.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that a murder case is under investigation.
“On Thursday, 7 May 2026, at about 9.50pm, Mitchells Plain police attended a complaint of a shooting at Merrydale Avenue, Rocklands. Upon arrival, they found the body of a 46-year-old female lying in a field with three gunshot wounds.
“She was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, and the motive for the shooting is a subject of police investigation,” Gwala said.
Norman Jantjies, a Mitchells Plain United Residents Association (MURA) representative, added: “The incident happened on Thursday evening. She (the victim) and her boyfriend apparently walked from the Tafelsig side.
“She was shot in a drive-by shooting. According to community members, the boyfriend is a known gang member.”
According to a member of the Rocklands Neighbourhood Watch, who wants to remain anonymous, multiple gunshots were reported in the area.
The source, who blames a turf war in the area between gangs for the violence, said: “It seems like the Fancy Boys want to take over the entire community. There are continuous gang fights with groupings like the Fancy Boys and the Naughty Boys.
“The area is tense, it is not safe to just walk around because these guys just open fire and start shooting, they don’t care who you are. They shoot anyone.”
Meanwhile, three male suspects between the ages of 17 and 49 will make their first court appearance at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday, after they were apprehended by members of the Flying Squad following a shootout at the Vlei informal settlement in Athlone on Saturday night.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala added: “Two firearms with 73 rounds of ammunition were confiscated and booked in as evidence.”