Cape Flats Violence Escalates, 22 People Killed and 16 Critically Injured Over One Weekend
- Violence on the Cape Flats escalated to new levels between Friday, 24 October 2025 and Sunday, 26 October 2025
- Several shootings in numerous communities across the Cape Flats left more than 20 people dead and many others injured
- While the majority of the cases involved shootings, one person was killed by stabbing
Source: Getty Images
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 – At least 22 were killed across the Cape Flats over the weekend, as the area experienced three days of tragedy.
Between Friday, 24 October 2025 and Sunday, 26 October 2025, 22 people died and 16 were critically injured. Mitchells Plain, Manenberg, Lavender Hill, Delft, Bonteheuwel, Seawinds, Elsies River, Kraaifontein, and Philippi were all affected over the weekend.
The area is notorious for gun violence and fatal shootings, with murders reported almost daily.
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Gun violence escalated across the Cape Flats
On Friday night, one person was killed after two people were shot in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain. On the same evening in Manenberg, a husband and wife were ambushed and shot at a fuel station. The wife later succumbed to her injuries.
The gun violence did not end there. On Saturday, 25 October, a 19-year-old was shot dead in Lavender Hill, while a woman was gunned down in Clarke Estate, Elsies River and another man was shot dead in Delft.
Shootings continued on Sunday
On Sunday, the gun violence continued as a man was shot dead in Malmesbury, while in Lotus River, five people were shot. One person passed away, while the other four were in critical condition. Shootings were also recorded in Beacon Valley, Heideveld, Maitland and Eastridge on Sunday.
The province did experience one non-gun-related crime, as a father was stabbed to death by his son in Bonteheuwel.
Source: Getty Images
Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia recently visited the province as he aims to get the crisis under control. Professor Cachalia called on the gangs to stop fighting, but his appeal has fallen on deaf ears.
South Africans weigh in on Cape Flats violence
Social media users weighed in on the ongoing violence on the Cape Flats, offering mixed reactions about what should be done.
Carole Knight said:
“I think the Cape Flats community should jointly agree on a solution that doesn't involve residents backing up and hiding gangsters, but rather reporting with names and locations. Then the plan to resolve the situation, once accepted, cannot be criticised when it doesn't work. The community has to be actively involved.”
Joe Albrecht stated:
“It’s like a war zone. SANDF should be deployed.”
Armien Bassett noted:
“We put an entire country on lockdown for a virus, which was considered a hazard to your health. God knows why a lockdown cannot be implemented when crime reaches critical levels.”
Rushin Chisholm said:
“Crazy, right? They said the PKTT disbandment was to pay more attention to the flats, so what now? You disbanded a good task team, and for what?”
Zaid Khan urged:
“Deploy SANDF. Think of the innocent people and children. Today it’s 22, tomorrow it’s 122. Brother kills brother. You live in one community. This all has to stop.
Jenny Abrahamse Kriel noted:
“Every day, it's the same story. Such a beautiful city is going to be wrecked and ruined. Sad.”
In August 2025, over 300 people were killed in the Western Cape
Briefly News reported that gang-related violence escalated in the Western Cape in August 2025 alone.
Over 300 people were murdered during the month, with some areas more severely affected than others.
Several experts shared their thoughts on the situation, highlighting what needed to change.
Source: Briefly News
