Police in the Western Cape have launched an intensive manhunt following the fatal shooting of three men in their twenties in the Lotus informal settlement in Gugulethu on Tuesday evening.
According to a media statement issued by Colonel Andrè Traut of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape, the attack occurred at approximately 18:30 when “the victims were attacked by unknown gunmen who opened fire before fleeing the scene.”
Authorities have not yet determined the motive for the killings. “The motive for the attack is yet to be determined, and detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit are pursuing all leads to trace and apprehend those responsible,” Colonel Traut said.
The fatal shooting has once again cast a spotlight on the ongoing challenge of violent crime in Cape Town’s informal settlements, where gang activity, social instability, and limited policing resources often create conditions for recurring violence.
In his statement, Colonel Traut noted that Western Cape police management has “strongly condemned the senseless act of violence” and assured the public that the matter has been given priority status. “The investigation has been prioritised to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he affirmed.
At the time of publication, no arrests had been made, and police were urging anyone with information to come forward to assist investigators.
The Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit continues to lead the investigation.