Cape Town Crime
Teamwork by security companies applauded
Plumstead cable thieves arrested
CRIME SCENE: Plumstead, Cape Town: Excellent teamwork by SRU, Zone and Fidelity private security companies led to the arrest of two suspects early on Tuesday morning, 28 July 2026.
After the suspects were apprehended City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers were called to the scene in Plumstead where they found the suspects in possession cables, believed to have been vandalised and stolen from the PRASA rail network.
Both suspects were arrested and the evidence handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Well done to the vigilant armed response officers from SRU Security, supported by Zone and Fidelity, whose teamwork led to these arrests,” said JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security.
“These private security companies compete with one another every day for customers. Their business depends on attracting clients to monitor alarm systems and protect private property.
“Yet, when it comes to fighting crime in our communities, they put competition aside.
“We recognise the enormous value that private security companies, neighbourhood watches and community improvement districts bring to public safety. We know, and openly acknowledge, that SAPS cannot be everywhere, all the time,” said Smith.
Possible link to protest action
City starts probe into bus fire
KILLARNEY, Cape Town: The City of Cape Town has launched an investigation to find out what caused a fire to one a MyCiTi bus on Monday, 27 July 2026.
The bus was completely destroyed and extensive damage was done to the Killarney station, which will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate confirmed the investigation and said there were no injuries as result of the fire.
It was reported shortly before 09:00 that a 18m MyCiTi bus was on fire at the MyCiTi station in Killarney, along Potsdam Road, close to the intersection with Silverstone Road. The City’s Fire Services assisted in putting the fire out.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, said the driver heard an unusual sound when he arrived at the Killarney station.
“The next moment he noticed smoke coming from the front of the bus. Thankfully, all of the passengers and the staff were safely evacuated before the fire got worse.
“We were also notified that a protest happened further down Potsdam Road, a few minutes before the incident. The investigation will also determine whether there are any links between the protest and the fire.
“This incident will have a major impact on the commuters who make use of the Killarney station. They will have to use the Potsdam station on the corner of Potsdam and Blaauwberg Roads in coming months.
“This is a massive blow to our operations as this is a very popular route. The cost of the damage will be determined in coming days, safe to say we expect it will be millions. It will likely take many months, if not at least a year, to do the repairs to the station,” said Quintas.
SUV stolen in Woodstock 12 hours earlier
Upington cops intercept Cape vehicle
CRIME SCENE: Upington, Northern Cape: A vehicle, valued at R1.5 million and stolen in Woodstock, Cape Town, has been recovered in the Northern Cape.
The K9 Unit and Border Policing in Upington recovered the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the arrested a 27-year-old suspect on Thursday, 23 July 2026, at about 07:30.
The vehicle was reported stolen in Woodstock about 12 hours earlier.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), dedicated members in Upington received information from a tracking company, which led them to the exact location of the vehicle near the Upington Central Business District.
The suspected stolen vehicle was intercepted and the driver was subsequently arrested.
The District Commissioner of the ZF Mgcawu District, Major General Monica Sebili, commended those involved for their swift response, professionalism, and commitment.
Newborn found buried in shallow grave
Two to appear for concealment
CRIME SCENE: Hanover Park, Cape Town: A young woman and man are expected to appear in court on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 following the discovery of a newborn baby on an open field.
Just after 16:30 on Sunday, 19 July 2026 news spread quickly throughout the Hanover Park community that a baby had been buried in a shallow grave on an open field in Downberg Road.
Once the authorities were notified, a search was launched and about 23:00 on Sunday evening, the baby’s body was found wrapped in plastic.
A media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, Thembakazi Mpendukana, said police opened a case of concealment of birth. Mpendukana confirmed that a 23-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were taken into custody and are expected to make their first appearance at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Suspected arrested in Bothasig-flat
Huge find of drugs, guns
CRIME SCENE: Bothasig, Cape Town: “You are going to need a lot of forensic bags.”
These were the words of a suspect while he accompanied police to a flat they were about to search.
On Sunday, 19 July 2026 at about 21:20, Crime Intelligence members in the Western Cape arrested the 29-year-old suspect at the premises in Sylvia Street, De Zicht, Richwood in Bothasig for the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs worth R10million, said the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“The members received information that an apartment was used as a storage facility by a local gang. They conducted observation at the flat and saw the suspect driving a white Mercedes Benz.
“When he was about to leave the complex the members boxed in the vehicle and instructed the suspect to exit the vehicle. The members saw the suspect had a black shopping bag on his lap and upon exciting the vehicle he held the bag overhead.
“He was searched and an unlicensed 9mm Tauris was found in his possession. The suspect was also found in possession of a key to the flat.
“On the way to the apartment the suspect informed the police they would need a lot of forensic bags. The apartment was searched and the members found black bags containing plastic wrappers.
“On the dining room floor several bricks of cocaine were lying wrapped in plastic. Various drugs in suitcases were found in the cupboards. In the bathroom a box was found on top of the washing machine with two 9mm pistols and ecstasy tablets. Four more firearms were found in the bedroom with 16 magazines containing ammunition. More drugs were found in the cupboards of the kitchen.
“A total of seven 9mm pistols,17 different types of magazines, 1030 rounds of ammunition and an assortment of drugs with an estimated street value of R10 million were found and confiscated,” said SAPS.
SAPS want to bring back stability
Four arrested for illegal guns
CRIME SCENE: Cape Flats: The police recovered four illegal firearms and arrested four people during operations across the Cape Flats over the weekend.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the aim of the operations was to bring stability to crime ridden areas.
The Anti-Gang-Unit (AGU) receiving information on Sunday, 19 July 2026 regarding a firearm that was hidden at a premises in Mentz Court, Hanover Park.
The police searched the premises and occupants. A firearm without a serial number and 10 rounds of ammunition were found in the possession of a 43-year-old suspect. He was arrested for the possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
Members attached to Operation Lockdown 3 arrested two suspects aged 54 and 29-years, in separate incidents in the early evening of Sunday.
At around 18:30 they received information about a place in Laingsberg Street, Manenberg where a member of a local resides and that the premises was being used as an illegal tavern. The members searched the premises and during the search a 9mm pistol was recovered and seized. The suspect, aged 54, was arrested for the possession of a prohibited firearm.
At about 20:00 they arrested a 29-year-old suspect for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition at a premises in Hanekom Crescent, Belhar.
On Saturday, 18 July 2026, the AGU conducted an intelligence driven operation in the Lentegeur area following up on information on a murder case reported earlier in this month.
They proceeded to a premises in Avon Street, Woodlands where they searched an unknown male and found him to be in possession of a .38 Special revolver and six .38 special rounds of ammunition. A 23-year-old man was arrested for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
Mass shootings claim 7 lives
Night of terror on Cape Flats
CRIME SCENE: Cape Flats: Seven people were killed and at least five injured in two mass shooting incidents on Wednesday night, 8 July 2026.
In the first incident, which occurred at about 20:10 at the corner of Laura Street and 8th Avenue in Lost City, Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, five men were reportedly standing outside a local tuck shop when they were approached by armed suspects who opened fire on them.
According to a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, Colonel Andrè Traut, three victims, aged 18, 19 and 51-years, sustained fatal gunshot wounds and were declared deceased at the scene. Two other victims, aged 17 and 22-years, were transported to a medical facility for treatment.
“A short while later, at about 20:30, police responded to a shooting incident at a residence in Marcus Garvey, Philippi East, where seven people were shot. Four victims, aged between 17 and 20-years, died at the scene, while three others were admitted to hospital for medical treatment.
“The circumstances surrounding both incidents are the subject of ongoing investigations,” said Traut.
“To prevent any further violence and enhance public safety, police deployments in the affected areas have been heightened. Members will maintain a visible presence and continue to conduct crime prevention operations aimed at stabilising the communities and ensuring the safety of residents.
“Western Cape police condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms and remain committed to bringing those responsible to justice,” said Traut.
Earlier one person reportedly also died during a shooting incident in Komati Road, Mfuleni.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously via the MySAPS-App. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Single gunshot takes man's life
Murder in the passage
CRIME SCENE: Kalksteenfontein, Cape Town: A man’s life was taken with a single gunshot this on Wednesday morning, 8 July 2026.
According to Thembakazi Mpendukana of the Western Cape police media office, Bishop Lavis SAPS (South African Police Service) registered a murder case following the shooting incident that occurred at around 04:20 in Buttercup Close passage.
“According to bystanders, they heard a gunshot go off and soon after that they saw the victim in the passage with a bullet wound to his head. He was declared deceased on the crime scene by medical personnel.
“The motive for the shooting is currently unknown. Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and no arrest has been made yet,” said Mpendukana.
Four firearms stolen in early morning attack
Security guard killed for guns
CRIME SCENE: Khayelitsha, Cape Town: A security guard was killed and robbed of four firearms shortly after dropping off his colleagues.
Captain FC van Wyk, media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, said the shooting incident happened at about 06:00 on Wednesday morning, 8 July 2026 in Spine Road next to Town Two braai stands, Makhaza.
“Police registered a murder following the fatal shooting of a 34-year-old male. SAPS (South African Police Service) members were called to a murder scene at the mentioned address and upon their arrival they found a male laying on his back, covered with a sheet.
“Ambulance personnel were already on the scene and declared him as deceased. He was shot multiple times,” said Van Wyk.
The victim was a security guard and dropped off his colleagues in the area.
“After dropping off the last colleague, he drove off and a few minutes later the colleague heard gunshots. It is alleged that the deceased had four 9mm firearms that belong to the security company in the vehicle.
“These firearms were all stolen from the vehicle. The motive is believed to be robbery,” said Van Wyk.
Anyone with information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile MySAPS-App anonymously
Gang patrol leads to arrest
Gunman too slow for cops
CRIME SCENE: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town: Running away from the police when you suddenly spot them is not always the cleverest thing to do, especially if you have something to hide.
This was the case on Wednesday morning, 1 July 2026 when swift action by the Lentegeur police led to the arrest of a suspect with an unlicensed firearm in his possession.
According to the police the members conducted crime prevention duties in Woodlands to combat gang violence when they noticed a man crossing the road. When he saw the police vehicle, he started running.
The police gave chase and caught up with him. He was searched and a 9mm pistol without a serial number and 15 rounds of ammunition, was found in his possession. He was arrested on the scene.