Cape Town Crime
Police on the hunt for attackers
Three gunned down in Portland
CRIME SCENE: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town: Two people have been shot and killed and a third wounded in a suspected gang related incident.
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, said
Mitchell’s Plain police registered two counts of murder and one of attempted murder following the attack on Friday night, 21 August 2026, at about 20:28.
“Police members responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival on the scene in Venice Close, Portland, they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies.
“Two males aged 27 and 35-years were fatally wounded and a 24-year-old male was wounded. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
“The motive for the attack is believed to be gang related. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested,” said Twigg.
Anyone with any information about this shooting incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS-App anonymously.
Three suspects shoot victim multiple times
Boy (15) gunned down in street
CRIME SCENE: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town: A 15-year-old boy has been brutally gunned down in the street on his way home
According to Constable Ndakhe Gwala, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, Mitchells Plain police opened a case of attempted murder following the shooting that occurred in Atletiek Street, Beacon Valley on Thursday 20 August 2026 at about 20:45.
“According to reports,the boy was shot by three unknown suspects while on his way home. He sustained gunshot wounds on the back of his head, right arm, and buttocks. The motive for the attack is a subject of police investigation, and no arrest has been made at this stage,” said Gwala.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the South African Police Service Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or provide information anonymously via the MySAPS-App.
Operation Prosper find Mandrax, Tik and pain killers
Three bust for drugs in Overcome
CRIME SCENE: Overcome Heights, Cape Town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have arrested three men in connection with possession of drugs, including over 700 Mandrax tablets.
According to SAPS the arrests came as a result of decisive actions by Operation Prosper to restore safety in communities.
SAPS said the operation was carried out on Thursday, 20 August 2026, in the Muizenberg-precinct.
“Two male suspects, aged 27 and 47, were apprehended in Mountain Road, Overcome Heights, for possession of drugs and possession of a Schedule 5 medicine without a prescription.
“Members recovered eight Stilpane syrups, 159 sachets of Tik and 500 Mandrax tablets at the premises. The pursuit led the members to another address in the same street, where a 36-year-old male suspect was found with 226 Mandrax tablets and 60 Tik sachets.
“The suspects will appear in the Muizenberg Magistrate’s Court,” said SAPS.
The police also found an abandoned firearm, imitation firearm, 20 Astra pain and 40 Stilpane syrups, including 73 rounds of ammunition in Drury Road, Capricorn. These illegal items were confiscated.
Suspects run after crash, but two arrested
Police act fast to catch hijackers
CRIME SCENE: Goodwood, Cape Town: Two alleged hijackers have been arrested following a car chase which led to a crash.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) a black Proton hatchback was hijacked in Goodwood on Wednesday, 13 August.
“At approximately 23:15 on Wednesday members of the Flying Squad were on a mission to find the vehicle and spotted it in Voortrekker Road with four suspects inside. They instantly gave chase as the vehicle headed towards Elsies River.
“The driver lost control and crashed it at the corner of Avonwood Road and Fransie Van Zyl, Elsies River.The four suspects jumped out of the vehicle and ran in different directions as the members chased after them.
“Two men aged 37 and 41 were eventually caught and upon doing a further search in the car, an unlicensed firearm was found,” said SAPS.
Suspect also for the real deal and ammo
Police find fake firearms
CRIME SCENE: Lansdowne, Cape Town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have confiscated an illegal revolver and two imitation firearms in Derby Road, Lansdowne.
The Anti-Economic Crime Task- and Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Policing teams conducted an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday morning, 12 August 2026 at about 3:15 after receiving information of a suspect having illegal firearms in his possession at a premises in Derby Road, Lansdowne.
“The members acted swiftly and proceeded to the mentioned address where they found a male fitting the description of the suspect. Upon searching the house a .38 Special revolver with 12 rounds of ammunition was found hidden between the mattress and the bed.
“Two imitation firearms were also found hidden in the wardrobe. The 38-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition,”said SAPS.
Langa: On the same day in Langa a small baby-brown firearm with one round of ammunition, 70 R1 rifle rounds and one car jammer were found abandoned. An enquiry docket was opened for further investigation.
Info about gun lead police to wanted man
Police nab murder suspect
CRIME SCENE: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town: Information about a suspected illegal firearm this week led police directly to a man wanted for murder.
After receiving the information about the firearm on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, the Anti-Gang-Unit deployed in Lentegeur went to a premises in Statice Close.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the members heard a loud bang at the back of the house.
They noticed the suspect trying to get rid of the firearm, but the police caught up with him and confiscated a NP42 9mm pistol with eight 9mm rounds of ammunition.
“An 18-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition. A further search was done at the premises, where the police came across a group of males affiliated to a local gang.
“One of them, a 26-year-old man, was arrested for a murder and an attempted murder case registered at Mitchells Plain SAPS in July 2026,”said SAPS.
Darling: A 41-year-old man was arrested early on Thursday morning, 13 August 2026 for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
The Darling police were busy with crime prevention patrols at about 2:50, when they received information regarding a firearm at a premises in Amandel Crescent.
“They immediately operationalised the information and searched the premises where they confiscated a 6.35 pistol with green insulation tape wrapped around the handle and six 6.35 rounds of ammunition.
“The suspect was arrested and detained at the Darling police station,” said SAPS.
Early morning shooting in Tafelsig
Man dies in hail of bullets
CRIME SCENE: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town: A man died in a hail of bullets early on Friday morning, 7 August 2026 in Tafelsig.
Constable Ndakhe Gwala, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, said Mitchells Plain police responded to reports of a shooting in Ruwenzori Street, Tafelsig at about 4:20 on Friday morning.
“On arrival they found a lifeless body of a 42-year-old male lying on the street with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. He was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel.
“Police registered a case of murder for investigation and no arrest has been effected at this stage,” said Gwala.
Couple allegedly conned people out of R14 m
Dating ‘scammers’ arrested
CRIME SCENE: Bellville, Cape Town: A foreign national couple has been arrested for allegedly conning people out of R14 million in a romance scam.
The couple was on the radar of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) for a while, but their luck ran out this week when they were arrested by the City of Cape Town’s enforcement services.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, the suspect allegedly preyed on vulnerable people searching for love, using dating apps and other online platforms to build trust before manipulating victims into handing over large sums of money.
“Since before 2021, the syndicate is believed to have conned victims out of an estimated R14 million.
“The breakthrough came when the only available lead, a possible vehicle registration linked to the suspect, was circulated among enforcement officers after the Hawks requested the City to assist,” said Smith.
Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers quickly spotted the vehicle parked in Bellville.
When a male returned to the vehicle, officers stopped it on Giel Basson Drive, where he was arrested and handed over to Bellville SAPS.
“During questioning, the suspect admitted that the other person implicated in the investigation was his wife. Acting on this information, Metro Police proceeded to an identified address, where the female suspect was also arrested.
“Both foreign nationals now face charges including fraud and money laundering. One of the cases was registered at Muizenberg SAPS in 2021.
“For years, the pair allegedly manipulated the emotions of people searching for companionship, leaving many with not only broken hearts, but devastating financial losses. Sadly, feelings of embarrassment often prevent victims from reporting these crimes, allowing scammers to continue targeting others.
“If you believe you may have fallen victim to a similar scam from these perpetrators, please contact the Hawks on 021 918 3762,” said Smith.
Police suspect incident linked to extortion
Foreign barber shot
CRIME SCENE: Atlantis, Cape Town: A foreign national has been shot and wounded in Witsand, Atlantis in what is believed to be another extortion related incident.
Captain FC Van Wyk, a Western Cape police media liaison officer, said the Atlantis police registered an attempted murder case following the incident which happened on Tuesday evening, 4 August 2026 at about 19:20 in Bhabhathane Street.
“The 40-year-old male barber was shot and wounded in his right upper leg. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The motive is believed to be extortion and no arrests have been made yet,” said Van Wyk.
Anyone with information about this shooting incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Gunmen strike in Salt River
Man dies, sister injured in shootig
CRIME SCENE: Salt River, Cape Town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) are looking for suspects responsible for the killing of a man and attempted murder of his sister here on Monday night, 3 July 2026.
SAPS confirmed that murder and attempted murder cases had been opened at Woodstock police station following the incident.
Thembakazi Mpendukana, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, said the shooting happened at about 21:05 in Burns Road, Salt River.
“A 46-year-old man was shot and died on his arrival at hospital. His sister sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical care. No arrest has been made yet,” said Mpendukana.