Cape Town's gang violence: 36 dead and 47 attempted murders in one week

Gang-related violence in Cape Town left 36 dead and 47 cases of attempted murder were registered  in over one week from 30 March to 5 April 2026

This is according to police portfolio committee chairperson, Ian Cameron who said 36 funerals now need to be arranged.

"It means more families getting phone calls no family should ever have to get. It means more children growing up with gunfire as part of everyday life," said Cameron.

"I was in Mitchells Plain again today. Four people were shot dead and five others were injured. A six-year-old girl and two boys aged 13 and 14. These children should have been enjoying a carefree school holiday. Instead, they are lying in hospital because gang violence continues to tear through these communities," he said.

Cameron was referring to  an incident in which two people were shot dead and five people injured in a shooting incident in Mitchells Plain.

Police spokesperson Andre Traut said the incident happened at the Hazeldene taxi rank at about 13:35 yesterday. 

"It is reported that unknown suspects opened fire on a group of people, fatally wounding two men aged 20 and 22. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. Two adult males and three children, including a six-year-old girl and two boys aged 12 and 13, were injured and taken to hospital for treatment," Traut said.

"The motive for the attack is not yet known. The suspects fled the scene and no arrests have been made," he said.

 Police also said in a separate incident in Merrydale Street, Portlands, a 26-year-old man was shot and killed by unknown suspects who fled the scene in a vehicle.

"The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene. This incident is believed to be gang-related. Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating both cases."

Cameron said because of these incidents and ongoing gang violence the presence of the army cannot just be about visibility.

"It has to be intelligence led and prosecution led. It is not enough to put more boots on the ground and hope for the best. Operations must target the right people, the right places, and the networks behind the violence. And when arrests are made, the cases must be strong enough to stand up in court."

He said so far, very few arrests have been made and hardly any major drug or arms caches have been uncovered.

"That should concern all of us. If the people driving the violence are still operating, and the weapons and drugs are still flowing, then the operation is not yet landing where it needs to."

He said arrests alone do not bring peace to a community. "What makes a difference is when cases are properly investigated, evidence is processed properly, and criminals are successfully prosecuted and kept off the streets. That means SAPS, crime intelligence, forensics and the NPA all have to work together properly."

We also need to be honest about capacity. Where capable local and provincial government can do more, the discussion about expanding policing powers can no longer be avoided. If national government cannot do this alone, then competent local and provincial authorities should be given more room to help protect communities.

"The people of the Cape Flats deserve more than temporary attention every time the violence flares up. They deserve a serious, sustained response that actually makes them safer," Cameron said.

Traut said police condemn senseless acts of violence "in the strongest possible terms, especially where innocent members of the community, including children, are caught in the crossfire".

"Such incidents have no place in our communities, and every available resource is being utilised to track down those responsible and bring them to justice."

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or make use of the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.