Three people were killed and another was injured in a shooting in Lingelethu-West, Cape Town, on Sunday night, police said.
Police responded at around 22:20 after reports of a shooting at an informal dwelling in NB63, Phumleni.
Upon arrival, members found four males with gunshot wounds inside the dwelling. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said three of the victims—aged between 27 and 36—were declared deceased at the scene.
He added that a 38-year-old male was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
“Serious Violent Crime detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting,” Traut said.
Forensics under way; no arrests yet
“Forensic experts are processing the crime scene, and investigators are following up on available leads. No arrests have been made at this stage.”
Police appealed to members of the public for assistance, urging anyone with information that could help the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or to use the mobile application MySAPS. Traut reiterated that information may be provided anonymously.
Violence follows a decline in the province’s murder rate
The shooting comes just a day after the Western Cape recorded a decline in murders, based on the latest quarterly crime statistics.
According to the figures cited by police, the Western Cape’s murder rate fell 6.7% year-on-year, with 1 071 murders recorded between April and June. Approximately 20% of these cases were linked to gang violence, which remains the province’s leading cause of murder even though it has shown both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter decreases.
Attempted murder also decreased, dropping 1.5%, with 1 040 cases recorded in the same quarterly period.
Firearms were used in a large share of both murders and attempted murders, with the Western Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi, stating that guns were the weapon of choice.
“Firearms were used in 62% of murders and two-thirds of attempted murders – making guns the weapon of choice, according to Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi.”
Investigation continues
As detectives work through the evidence at the scene and pursue leads, police said no arrests have been made at this stage. Further updates are expected as forensic processing continues and investigators interview potential witnesses.
