Residents of the Kanana informal settlement in Gugulethu, Cape Town, are in a state of shock and mourning following a mass shooting that claimed the lives of seven men in the early hours of Saturday, 28 June 2025. The brutal attack has left the community traumatised and has prompted a high-level police investigation.
According to residents, unknown gunmen stormed into a shack where ten men were socialising at approximately 3:30 AM. The assailants opened fire, killing seven men at the scene. Three other men, who were asleep in a separate room, managed to escape unharmed.
The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, confirmed the incident which took place at a residence in the Kanana informal settlement.
“At approximately 3.30am, SAPS members on patrol were alerted to the shooting. Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the bodies of seven men, all with gunshot wounds," Traut said.
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said the attack occurred at around 03:30.
Officers on patrol were alerted to the incident and, upon arriving at the residence, discovered the bodies of seven men in the kitchen area, all shot dead.
“Preliminary information suggests the victims were socialising in the kitchen when they were ambushed by unknown assailants. Three other men who were asleep elsewhere in the house at the time of the attack escaped unharmed,” he said.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld, pending further investigation and the notification of their families.
A woman who lives nearby, and asked not to be named, recounted the terrifying events. “I heard gunshots early in the morning. Then, someone screamed, and I heard footsteps of someone running. The gunfire lasted for some time before it went quiet. When police arrived, we came out to the scene," she said.
The resident said five of the victims appeared to be related and did not live in the area, except for the shack’s tenant, who had been renting in Kanana for nearly three months. “It seems he invited his cousins and friends to visit. One of the victims is from KTC and another from Delft,” said the resident.
Community leader Jacob Ndoro expressed deep distress. “As a community, we are devastated. We don’t know why these men were targeted, and hope police will uncover the truth. We need justice and peace,” Ndoro said.
Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, condemned the attack.
Preliminary information suggests that the victims were socialising in the kitchen when they were ambushed by unknown assailants. Three other men who were asleep elsewhere in the house at the time of the attack escaped unharmed,” Traut said.
He has ordered a thorough investigation. “Violent and firearm-related crimes remain a top priority for the Western Cape SAPS, and no resources will be spared in the pursuit of justice,” said Patekile.
Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile said Serious and Violent Crimes Unit detectives would pursue all possible leads to uncover what happened.
“Violent and firearm-related crimes remain a top priority for the Western Cape SAPS, and no resource will be spared in the pursuit of justice,” he said.
Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile visited the scene and was briefed by detectives from the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit.
Traut said the motive for the attack was unclear.
Authorities have called on the public to assist, urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or report anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
He urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist investigators by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or using the MySAPS mobile app anonymously.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu expressed concern and outrage at the series of mass killings in the province.
In another incident on Tuesday, three bodies of men aged between 26 and 35 were found in different but nearby locations in the C Section of the Samora Machel informal settlement.
Mchunu said: "There is no doubt that the Cape Flats has indeed become the killing fields of the Western Cape – this with the latest shooting of seven people in Gugulethu."
“The situation requires the full implementation of what the ministry and management have discussed and concluded over a considerable period of time now,” he said.
“We urge the national commissioner and his team to activate and unleash all police resources to confront criminality and criminals.”
He said members of the public are urged to support law enforcement efforts by sharing information that may lead to arrests and help bring perpetrators to justice.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld at this stage, and the motive for the heinous crime is yet to be established.
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