CAPE TOWN – An off-duty member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was shot dead in Delft on Wednesday, 8 April. The 37-year-old man sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene in Kokaboom Street at approximately 10.20pm.
Police have confirmed that the man was not part of the army deployment to combat gang crime on the Cape Flats.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg reported: “The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased is a member of the SANDF who was off duty at the time of the incident and has no link to Operation Prosper. The suspect(s) fled the scene and have not yet been arrested.”
A murder docket has been opened for investigation.
In a separate incident on the same evening, a 26-year-old man was killed, and another was wounded in a drive-by shooting in Salt River, Cape Town. Three people have since been arrested in connection with the Salt River shooting.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said a group of men was sitting at the corner of Burns and Pope Street when a white Bantam bakkie stopped, and the occupants opened fire.
Both men were transported to a medical facility, where the 26-year-old succumbed to his wounds.
Gwala reported: “Flying squad members followed up on intelligence and arrested three male suspects believed to be linked to the shooting, one of whom was wanted by Woodstock police for another attempted murder case. The suspects will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court once they have been charged.”
The two incidents on the same night highlight the ongoing violence plaguing Cape Town communities. While the motive for the SANDF member's murder remains unclear, the Salt River shooting appears to be gang-related.
The police are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in both investigations. The SANDF has expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased soldier and has pledged to cooperate fully with the police in their investigation.
The arrests in the Salt River shooting provide some relief to the community, but the overall situation remains tense as authorities grapple with the persistent problem of gang violence in the city. The incidents underscore the urgent need for effective strategies to address the root causes of crime and improve the safety and security of all residents.
