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Shock at Athlone Magistrate’s Court After Man Shot Dead at Entrance
A morning of chaos in Athlone
Friday morning began with tragedy at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court when a man was gunned down just as he was entering the building. Police quickly cordoned off the area, leaving relatives crying outside while officials shut the doors until the crime scene could be cleared.
Fear of gang connections
Although the motive has not yet been officially confirmed, police on the ground believe the shooting may be linked to gang activity. The Western Cape has battled an ongoing wave of organised violence that often spills into public spaces, and the sight of armed attacks near courts has become a chillingly familiar pattern.
A worrying trend around Cape Town courts
This is not the first incident of its kind. Just weeks ago, outside Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court, a 24-year-old man was killed and another injured when four armed men opened fire shortly after the pair had appeared before a magistrate. Such brazen shootings point to the growing boldness of criminal networks and the risks faced by anyone tied to gang-related cases.
Violence beyond the courts
Court precincts are not the only spaces under fire. On Thursday, an off-duty police officer who was also a taxi owner linked to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) was shot dead in Lwandle near Strand. According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, unknown gunmen opened fire while the officer was driving, causing him to crash into a fence. The motive is believed to be linked to ongoing taxi conflicts.
A community on edge
For residents of Cape Town’s gang-affected suburbs, these incidents feel like a grim reminder of how deeply violence has seeped into everyday life. Social media reaction shows frustration that courts, which should represent justice and safety, are instead becoming sites of fear. Families attending hearings now do so with unease, wondering whether justice can truly be served in spaces under such threat.
The call for answers
Authorities have urged anyone with information to assist in ongoing investigations, stressing that anonymous tip-offs can be made through Crime Stop or the MySAPS app. Yet for many in Cape Town, the bigger question remains: how long can courts and communities function under the shadow of gunfire before stronger action is taken?
Also read: FW de Klerk Foundation Warns Ramaphosa Against Following Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Path
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: SABC News
