CRIME SCENE: Lotus River, Cape Town: Four men were shot and killed and another wounded in Lotus River on Thursday night, 18 June 2026.

According to South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Potelwa said five men were sitting in front of a residential block of flats on the corner of Nita and Olga streets at about 22:30 when a vehicle with several occupants emerged.

“The occupants alighted and shot at the victims. Four men between the ages of 32 and 44-years died on the scene and another was taken to a medical facility with serious injuries. 

“Police deployments in the area have since been reinforced in an effort to ensure no further shooting incidents occur. Grassy Park police have opened murder and attempted murder dockets for investigation. 

 “Preliminary investigations indicate the motive for the shooting is gang related. No arrests have yet been made,” said Potelwa.

Thursday night’s incident was the second mass shooting on the Cape Flats in just over 24 hours. On Wednesday night, 17 January 2026 a 22-year-old man was shot and killed and four others aged 24, 35, 36 and 48-years, and a 56-year-old woman were injured when gunmen opened fire in Rio Grande Walk, Manenberg.

According to a media liaison officer for the Western Cape Police, Captain FC van Wyk, a silver-grey car drove down Rio Grande Walk.  It stopped, the occupants got out and randomly started shooting at the victims.
 
Police officers patrolling the area responded to the sound of the gunshots and upon their arrival on the scene the suspects fired several shots at them. A 42-year-old SAPS officer was injured by shrapnel to his head.