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Mitchells Plain drive-by shooting leaves three dead as Cape Town battles relentless gang violence
Gunfire in Westridge
Mitchells Plain is no stranger to tragedy, yet Wednesday night’s drive-by shooting has once again shaken the community to its core. Just after 8 pm in Westridge, gunmen opened fire on three men before speeding away in a vehicle. The victims, aged 20, 23, and 32, died at the scene.
Police have confirmed that two of the men were believed to be connected to gangs, with one linked to the notorious Firm Boys. Detectives from the Anti-Gang Unit are now leading the investigation, describing the killings as gang conflict-related.
Lives lost, trust eroded
The brutal attack has left residents rattled, adding to the sense of fear that has gripped Mitchells Plain in recent weeks. Families have become accustomed to the sound of gunfire, yet each incident deepens the wound and erodes confidence in safety. Many locals have spoken out, saying the violence is tearing apart their neighbourhoods and robbing young people of their futures.
What makes this loss especially painful is the age of the victims. At just 20 and 23, two of the men were barely adults, while the 32-year-old was in the prime of his life. For grieving families, the reality of arranging funerals for loved ones lost to gunfire is becoming unbearably familiar.
A city calling for peace
Cape Town’s response has not been limited to policing. Over the past weekend, hundreds of congregants from about 150 churches marched in a prayer walk through Mitchells Plain, calling for peace and divine intervention. For many, the march symbolised both resilience and desperation, as faith leaders and families united to demand an end to the bloodshed.
Despite these powerful acts of solidarity, residents know that prayer alone cannot dismantle entrenched gang networks. Communities are calling for visible policing, stricter enforcement, and opportunities for young people that can steer them away from crime.
Policing under pressure
Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that Anti-Gang Unit detectives are gathering evidence and pursuing leads, but the perpetrators remain at large. She urged residents to come forward with information through Crime Stop or the MySAPS mobile app, assuring that all tip-offs will be treated confidentially.
The latest murders come at a time when national and provincial police leadership have been under scrutiny to deliver results. Earlier this month, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola admitted that gang violence in the Western Cape remains a pressing concern. He highlighted that SAPS had seized over 1,000 illegal firearms in the province since April, with 80 recovered in just one week.
Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has also been engaging directly with Cape Town communities. Only days before the shooting, he met with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and residents of Mitchells Plain and Mfuleni to hear their safety concerns. While he promised stronger interventions, residents remain sceptical, pointing to the persistent cycle of shootings despite repeated pledges.
A fight far from over
The tragedy in Westridge is not an isolated act of violence but part of a wider storm engulfing Cape Town. With 31 police stations identified as gang hotspots across the province, the scale of the crisis is daunting.
For Mitchells Plain, the killings underscore how deeply gang culture has embedded itself into the community. The cycle of young men being recruited into gangs, armed conflicts over territory, and the constant influx of illegal weapons means that every family feels the shadow of violence.
As the Anti-Gang Unit pursues the suspects, residents are once again left to mourn, rally, and demand action. For many, the question remains whether the combined efforts of police, government, and communities will be enough to turn the tide in a battle that has defined life in Mitchells Plain for far too long.
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Source: IOL
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