Cape Town Crime
People heard one gunshot the night before
Man’s body found in bush
CRIME SCENE: Atlantis, Cape Town: A 21-year-old man has been shot in his face and dumped in the bush.
According to Sergeant Wesley Twigg of the Western Cape police media office, Atlantis police responded to a complaint of a deceased person laying in the bush in the Old Mamre/Darling Road, on Tuesday morning , 19 May 2026, at about 07:45.
“Upon arrival on the scene they found a 21-year-old male who sustained a gunshot wound to his face. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made,” said Twigg.
A murder case has been opened.
Initial reports stated that neighbours heard a gunshot just before 22:00 on Monday night 18 May 2026, and came across the body on Wednesday morning.
Anyone with any information about the incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile MySAPS-App anonymously.
Killers flee in white vehicle
Panel beat boss murdered inside shop
CRIME SCENE: Strand, Cape Town: The owner of a panel beat workshop in the Strand, was brutally shot in cold blood inside his business on Wednesday evening, 20 May 2026.
Reports indicate that the 40-year-old Ben Zandamela, owner of Ben Panel Beaters, and his employees were busy working around 18:00.
Thembakazi Mpendukana of the Western Cape police media office said two unknown males entered the premises and started shooting at the victim.
“Strand SAPS members responded to a complaint regarding a shooting incident that occurred at the panel beat shop in Smith Street, Strand. He was declared deceased on the scene, and no other injuries were reported,” said Mpendukana.
According to reports both suspects have been described as African males. Following the shooting, they fled in a white vehicle that had been waiting outside.
Zandamela is originally from Mozambique.
A murder case was opened for further investigation, and no arrest has been made yet, said Mpendukana.
Twee stap by werkswinkel in, begin skiet
Besigheidsman koelbloedig vermoor
MISDAADTONEEL: Strand, Kaapstad: Die eienaar van ‘n paneelklop-besgheid in die Strand is Woensdagaand, 20 Mei 2026 koelbloedig doodgeskiet.
Volgens berigte was die 40-jarige Ben Zandamela, eienaar van Ben Panel Beaters, en sy werknemers omstreeks 18:00 binne die werkswinkel besig om te werk.
Thembakazi Mpendukana van die Wes-Kaapse polisie se media kantoor sê twee onbekende mans het die perseel binnegegaan en op die slagoffer geskiet.
“Strand SAPD-lede het gereageer op ‘n klag rakende ‘n skietvoorval by die paneelklop-werkswinkel in Smith-straat, Strand. Hy is op die toneel dood verklaar, en geen ander beserings is aangemeld nie,” het Mpendukana gesê.
Volgens berigte is beide verdagtes as African-mans beskryf. Na die skietery het hulle in ‘n wit voertuig gevlug wat buite gewag het.
Zandamela is oorspronklik van Mosambiek.
‘n Moordsaak is vir verdere ondersoek geopen, en geen arrestasie is nog gemaak nie, het Mpendukana gesê.
Man (50) killed, child injured in Wallacedene
Four shot inside house
CRIME SCENE: Wallacedene, Cape Town: In another mass shooting incident within five days in the Western Cape, four people were shot inside their home on Wednesday evening, 20 May 2026,
One man was killed and three others, including a five-year-old child, was injured in the incident which occurred at about 19:35, in Mfeketho Street, Wallacedene.
According to a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, an investigation has been opened following the fatal shooting of a 50-year-old man, while a 30-year-old man, 25-year-old woman and a five-year-old child were wounded.
“Kraaifontein police were called to the crime scene where they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies. The 50-year-old was declared deceased on the scene, while the other three were transported to hospital in a private vehicle.
“According to reports two unknown suspects entered the premises and opened fire on the victims before fleeing the scene. The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation.
“Murder and attempted murder cases were registered for investigation,” said Twigg
Anyone with any information about the incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS-App anonymously.
Gunmen target Ottery flats
Shooter kills man, wounds another
CRIME SCENE: Ottery, Cape Town: A man was killed and another wounded during a shooting in Ottery on Wednesday afternoon, 20 May 2026.
According to Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, the shooting occurred at about 17:20 in Hooggenoeg Court, Ottery.
Twigg said a 42-year-old man was approached by unknown suspects who shot him before fleeing the scene.
“The victim was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel, while a 59-year-old was hit by a stray bullet and taken to hospital for treatment,” he said.
Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile App anonymously..
Suspect fired out of black vehicle
Public urged to speak-up after murder
CRIME SCENE: Cafda Village, Cape Town: The police have urged the community to come forward following another fatal shooting in the greater Retreat-Steenberg area.
On Wednesday afternoon, 20 May 2026, at about 14:40, a 28-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded on the corner of 12th Avenue and Schumann Road, Cafda Village.
According to a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, Steenberg police were called to the crime scene where they found the victim with a gunshot wound to his head.
“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. According to reports the victim was walking in the road when a black vehicle drove up to him and one of the occupants shot hoim.
“The motive for the attack is believed to be gang related. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”
Anyone with any information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile MySAPS App anonymously.
Nine people arrested, drugs and guns confiscated
Prosper hit Delft
CRIME SCENE: Delft, Cape Town: A number of suspects were arrested and drugs and firearms recovered when Operation Prosper hit Rosendal and Delft South on Tuesday, 19 May and Wednesday, 20 May 2026.
On Tuesday in Cessna Street, the members arrested a 25-year-old woman for possession of tik when they found 29g of Tik in her pockets. They then proceeded to Heinkel Street and at approximately 23:10 a 29-year-old man was found in possession of 11 rounds of ammunition, and he was arrested.
The operation continued to Nielson Street at around 23:20 where the members stopped a teenage boy and girl, both aged 18-years, and searched them. Three sachets of Tik, seven Mandrax tablets and seven Ecstasy tablets were found in their possession. Both were arrested.
Two women, aged 30 and 31-years, were arrested in Auber Street after police found 13.5g and 11 sachets of Tik in their possession. In a separate incident, in the same street at about 23:45, a 34-year-old man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Another man aged 30-years was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition in Aandblom Street at around 23:50.
The final arrest came at around 01:30 on Wednesday morning when a 34-year-old man was arrested in the same street after he was found with 57.8g of Tik, 224 Mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of cash. He faces a charge of dealing in drugs.
▪Operation Prosper was launched on 01 April 2026. It represents a coordinated and decisive response by law enforcement and defence structures to disrupt criminal activity, remove illegal firearms from circulation and reinforce a safer environment for residents.
Three men and a woman arrested
Several guns taken off Cape Flats streets
CRIME SCENE: Samora Machel, Cape Town: The police have taken a number of illegal firearms off Cape Flats streets and arrested suspects connected to these guns during crime combatting operations over the last few days.
On Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at approximately 05:40 in Samora Machel, a 42-year-old man was arrested for the possession of two prohibited firearms.
According to the police’s Western Cape media centre, the two 9mm pistols were found in his house after the police had received information acted on it.
Kraaifontein: Earlier the same morning, at around 03:00, the Anti Economic Crime Task Team in collaboration with the Counterfeit and Illicit Policing Team were conducting patrols in Kraaifontein.
The police said they received intelligence about drug activities taking place in a house in the area. They quickly responded and searched the place leading to the discovery of a .38 Special revolver and 13 rounds of ammunition hidden in the ceiling.
A 31-year-old man was arrested for possession of prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Parkwood: On Monday, 18 May 2026, a joint operation between the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and the Information Team at a house in Moosa Walk, Parkwood resulted in the arrest of a 40-year-old man on charges of possession of prohibited a firearm and ammunition, which were hidden in a water meter in the back yard.
Grassy Park: On Sunday, 17 May 2026 at approximately 23:45, Grassy Park polie followed up on information about a firearm at a premises on the corner of Merlin and Buzzard Roads. They searched the residence leading to the discovery of a 9mm pistol and 38 rounds of ammunition.
Further investigations revealed that the firearm was reported stolen in Bishop Lavis. A 19-year-old female who was in the house during the search was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Shooting in Lavender Hill
Girl (15) wounded in drive-by
CRIME SCENE: Lavender Hill, Cape Town: A teenage girl was shot and wounded during a drive-by shooting incident in here on Monday, 18n May 2026.
Steenberg police responded to a complaint regarding a shooting incident in St Boniface Street, at around 16:10.
Thembakazi Mpendukana, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, said the 15-year-old female victim was walking towards a nearby shop when a white VW Polo drove pass and started shooting.
The victim was wounded on her back and was taken to hospital. An attempted murder case is being investigated and no arrest has been made yet.
Anyone with information that might help the police with the investigation is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS App to report anonymously.
Murder in Retreat
Teen dies in hail of bullets
CRIME SCENE: Retreat, Cape Town: A teenage boy died in a hail of pistol and shotgun bullets on Monday afternoon, 18 May 2026.
Constable Ndakhe Gwala, a media liaison officer for Western Cape police, said reports indicate that the 15-year-old victim was sitting on a railing in Blagden Street, Retreat when a white Kia Picanto approached.
“The occupants of the vehicle started shooting at the victim with 9mm pistols and a shotgun. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed on the scene. The motive for the shooting is a subject of police investigation, and no arrest has been made yet,” said Constable Ndakhe.