CAPE TOWN – As health and safety authorities plead with the public to celebrate the festive season responsibly, police in Cape Town are already grappling with a surge in violent deaths in the days leading up to Christmas. A woman was shot dead in her bed in Hanover Park, a man was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife in Eerste River, and the body of an adult female was discovered in Lansdowne.
The latest incident involves the tragic murder of 23-year-old Ferouza Solomons. According to police reports, Ferouza was shot in the head while she was in her bed at her home in Surwood Walk, Hanover Park. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, at approximately 5.30am. Medical personnel declared her deceased at the scene.
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, police spokesperson, confirmed that a 31-year-old man has been arrested in connection with Ferouza's murder and is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court once he has been formally charged.
Twigg reported: “Philippi police attended to a complaint of a shooting in Surwood Walk, Hanover Park, on Sunday morning, 21 December 2025, at about 5.30am. Upon arrival on the scene they found a 23-year-old female in the bedroom who sustained a gunshot wound to her head. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. We can confirm that a 31-year-old male was arrested in connection with the murder will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged.”
In a separate incident, also on Sunday morning, police discovered the body of an adult male in Stemberry Street, Eerste River. The man had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Sergeant Twigg confirmed that Kleinvlei detectives are investigating a murder case.
He said: “Kleinvlei police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Sunday morning, 21 December 2025, at about 6.30am, in Stemberry Street, Blueberry Hill, Eerste River, and upon arrival on the scene they found the body of an adult male who sustained multiple gunshot wounds.”
Earlier that same morning, at approximately 12:55am, Kleinvlei police responded to a stabbing incident in Kwagga Street, Eerste River. A 35-year-old man was found with a stab wound to his body and was declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
"Kleinvlei police registered a murder case for investigation following a stabbing incident on December 21, at 12:55am, in Kwagga Street, Eerste River, where a 35-year-old male was stabbed and fatally injured. Police members attended the crime scene where they found the victim with a stab wound to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel," said Twigg.
According to police reports, the victim and his wife had been involved in an argument prior to the stabbing. "According to reports the victim and the suspect had an argument before he was stabbed," Twigg confirmed.
An adult female has been arrested in connection with the murder and is expected to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates' court once charged. "We can confirm that an adult female was arrested in connection with the murder and will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates' court once charged," Twigg stated.
Adding to the grim tally, on Friday, December 19, the body of an adult female was found along Kromboom Road in Lansdowne. Police are currently treating the case as an inquest.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg explained: "Lansdowne police registered an inquest for investigation after the body of a female believed to be in her thirties was found in Kromboom Road on December 19, at about 12:00pm. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death."
As these incidents place a significant strain on law enforcement and emergency services, Western Cape MEC of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, has issued a strong appeal to residents and visitors to act responsibly during the festive season.
"This festive season, we are asking our residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly," Wenger stated. "Every safe choice that you make helps to protect our healthcare system for those that need it most. The Western Cape's emergency teams are prepared and ready to serve everyone this festive season."
Dr. Saadiq Kariem, Chief of Operations for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of preventative measures. "Festive readiness is not only about how we respond when emergencies happen. It is also about preventing avoidable harm."
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