CAPE TOWN – The Cape Flats is once again in the grip of escalating gang violence, following the brazen murder of a 44-year-old man outside the Manenberg police station on Tuesday morning. The daylight shooting, believed to be linked to ongoing turf wars between rival gangs, has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of residents in the area.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 am on the corner of Klipfontein and Duinefontein Road, Heideveld, directly outside the Manenberg police station. According to police reports, the victim was standing behind a taxi when an unidentified gunman approached him and opened fire.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that a murder case has been registered by the Manenberg police station following the shooting.
"According to reports, SAPS Members attended to a complaint of a shooting incident at the mentioned address and on arrival they found the victim lying on his stomach in the road with one gunshot wound at the back of his head," said Captain van Wyk.
"Preliminary investigation on the scene indicates that the victim was standing behind a taxi when an unidentified male walked to him and shot him. The suspect than fled towards Towerkop."
The Daily Voice reached out to the victim’s family, however they declined to comment, requesting privacy to mourn their loss and prepare for the janaazah.
The shooting outside the police station comes just a week after the discovery of an alleged 22-year-old Hard Livings gang member's body in a canal on Duinefontein Road, also in Manenberg. It is alleged that the Fancy Boys gang were responsible for the death.
In response to the surge in gang-related incidents, police attached to Operation Shanela II have been actively deployed in Manenberg this week. Captain van Wyk reported that arrests were made on Monday following a series of shootings.
"[Members] rushed to where the sound was coming from and spotted the suspects running away from the scene and they gave chase on foot. The suspects started shooting at the members but it did not deter them from following them," he said.
"Both suspects ran into a premises in Mcosana Street, Manenberg, where the members found them in possession of two firearms, a CZ-P07 9mm pistol with three rounds, and a 9mm pistol and one round respectively."
The suspects, aged 18 and 39, were unable to provide valid licences for the firearms and were subsequently arrested on charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, attempted murder, attack on police, and discharging of firearms in a residential area.
Meanwhile, in Retreat, another shooting incident occurred on Monday night, leaving a 27-year-old man seriously injured.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said: "The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident that occurred at Sullivan Street, Steenberg are under investigation."
"On Monday 12 January 2026, at around 20:50, Steenberg police received a complaint of a shooting."
"A 27-year-old male was shot on his neck, arm and on the side of his stomach. He was rushed to a medical facility for treatment. Steenberg police registered a case of attempted murder for further investigation."
The recent spate of violence underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of gang activity on the Cape Flats. Residents are living in fear, and there are growing calls for increased police visibility, social intervention programmes, and economic opportunities to break the cycle of violence that continues to plague the region.
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