Western Cape SAPS Made Breakthroughs in 2 Cases, Effect Arrests for Kraaifontein and Athlone Murders

• The South African Police Service (SAPS) has made two arrests in two murder cases in the Western Cape
• National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited Kraaifontein following three double murders
• The police commissioner provided updates on the murders in the area and the progress the police made in the cases

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

WESTERN CAPE – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has wasted no time in making an arrest in connection with one of the murders in Kraaifontein.

Six people were killed in the town in the space of two days, in three separate double murders, with four of the victims being women. One of the murders occurred on Monday, 8 September 2025, and the other two happened on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.

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Man arrested in connection with double murder

Following the spate of murders, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the area, bringing with him an update. Masemola noted that police registered a breakthrough within hours of the murders being committed, arresting a 49-year-old suspect for one of the crimes.

Masemola added that the suspect was arrested in Kraaifontein, and he was linked to one of the double murders. Further investigations led police to the firearm that was allegedly used in the crime, which was found hidden in a shop in the Kraaifontein area.

Police arrested three foreign nationals who worked at the shop, as well as the shop owner, for being in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. The firearm has been taken in for ballistics testing. Police have not ruled out the possibility that more arrests could follow, or that the suspect could be linked to the other murders.

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“Our members are still on the ground following leads; we cannot rule out the possibility of effecting more arrests in this case,” Masemola said.

SAPS also make breakthrough in Athlone murder

Masemola also confirmed that police made a breakthrough in another murder in the Western Cape, arresting a 24-year-old in connection with the murder outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court. A man was shot dead after leaving the court on Friday, 5 September 2025.

Masemola stated that the suspect was arrested after police were able to identify him thanks to CCTV footage from the court. He was arrested at a local hospital, where he was admitted after sustaining gunshot wounds. It’s believed that he was injured in a shooting with gunshot wounds he sustained during a shooting with other gang members.

“The swift arrests must be commended, as it is an illustration of the seriousness and urgency with which police regard the incidents of this nature,” Masemola said.

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“I must reiterate that police officers across the country will not tolerate criminality,” the National Police Commissioner added.

Other Kraaifontein-related fatal shootings

Briefly News reported that there have been numerous fatal shootings in or around the area already in 2025.

• In January 2025, the principal of Ekuthuleni Primary in Kraaifontein was shot dead outside the school.
• In May 2025, an officer who was stationed at the Kraaifontein Police Station was shot dead outside a mosque.
• On 19 August 2025, an 11-year-old was killed in the crossfire of a shootout between two rival gangs.

Source: Briefly News