CAPE TOWN – A bizarre and alarming incident unfolded in Cape Town's city centre yesterday afternoon when a naked man, having allegedly disarmed a police officer, began firing shots at random in Keerom Street, just outside the Western Cape High Court.
The incident, which occurred around 13:00 on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, was captured on video by onlookers and quickly circulated on social media, showing the man standing unclothed on the pavement, discharging a firearm into the ground while police officers cautiously attempted to apprehend him.
Footage of the surreal scene shows the man looking at the gun, looking around him and then opening fire again, while screams can be heard from bystanders with every shot that goes off.
Witnesses can be heard exclaiming in Afrikaans, "hy gaan iemand skiet" (he is going to shoot someone) and "he is going to shoot himself," highlighting the palpable fear and tension in the air as the situation unfolded. Police officers can be heard shouting, "Put down the gun".
Another recording, taken from a nearby balcony, shows the man's discarded clothing lying in the road as he paced back and forth, brandishing the firearm.
After a period of cautious assessment, two police officers made a brave move, running towards the suspect and tackling him to the ground. One of the officers successfully managed to seize the firearm and disarm the naked gunman before he was taken into custody in the back of a police van.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed the details of the incident in a statement.
"Police members attached to Cape Town Central SAPS responded to a complaint of a naked man on the sidewalk on Keerom Street at about 13:00 on Wednesday, 3 September 2025," he said.
"On arrival at the scene, they found a young naked man who refused to cooperate and cover himself. A scuffle ensued during which the man took the firearm from one member and discharged shots, fortunately no one was hit."
Pojie added that "Three members overpowered the suspect and arrested him on charges related to the robbery of a firearm, discharge of a firearm in a public space and public indecency. He will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ court once charged."
The incident has sparked concern and criticism regarding the initial response of the police officers at the scene.
Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament on the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Nicolas Gotsell, issued a statement criticising the police's handling of the situation.
“The incident is like a bad metaphor for the state SAPS is in due to poor management," Gotsell said.
“I have submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister about what exactly happened; how?; and why?”
Gotsell's statement highlights broader concerns about the state of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its ability to effectively manage security situations. The fact that a suspect was able to disarm a police officer and then discharge a firearm in a public space raises serious questions about training, procedures, and overall management within the SAPS.
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