Western Cape SAPS Arrests 19-Year-Old for Philippi Mass Shooting, Citizens Demand Tougher Sentences
- The South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested a 19-year-old in connection with a mass shooting in Philippi
- Three youngsters were shot dead in the Samora Machel informal settlement on Saturday, 24 January 2026
- South Africans weighed in on the arrest of the youngster for mass murder, calling for harsher action to be taken
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, 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 made a breakthrough in one mass shooting in Philippi as the area was rocked by another tragic incident.
SAPS arrested a 19-year-old in connection with a deadly mass shooting at a shebeen in Philippi East on 17 January 2026. The shooting, at a shebeen in the Marikana informal settlement, left nine people dead.
Eight men and one woman were killed in the shooting, while another person was seriously injured.
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Teenager arrested for mass shooting
According to Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, the teenager was on Friday, 23 January 2026, in Zweletemba, Worcester.
He faces nine counts of murder and one count of attempted murder and will appear before the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 January 2026. Police are expecting to make more arrests as the investigation continues into the shooting.
Police are concerned about the involvement of youngsters in crimes
While the arrested teen has not yet been linked to gang activity, Brigadier Potelwa expressed concern that there was a growing number of youngsters involved in violent crime.
She stated that SAPS had observed that perpetrators were becoming younger and more daring. This was particularly in communities affected by high unemployment.
Source: Twitter
Three youngsters were shot dead in Philippi
While police were celebrating a breakthrough in one Philippi shooting, three youngsters were killed in another shooting just a day later.
The victims, aged between 16 and 21, were shot dead in the Samora Machel informal settlement on Saturday, 24 January 2026. The youngsters were sitting in a vehicle on Oliver Tambo Drive when unknown suspects opened fire on them.
Police spokesperson André Traut said the three victims died at the scene, while a fourth was rushed to the hospital.
South Africans react to teen’s arrest
Social media users weighed in on the arrest of the 19-year-old, with many calling for the death penalty to be brought back.
Brian's Page said:
“Our great leaders made discipline and punishment illegal many years ago. Now there is democracy and freedom to do whatever you want.”
Denise Veller stated:
“Time for the death penalty to be reinstated.”
Augustine Moleme stated:
“I blame the DA government.”
Darrol Kriel suggested:
“Death penalty or nine life sentences following each other.”
Thabo Love Scott noted:
“A 19-year-old should either be in matric or doing first year at varsity and not terrorising communities.”
Colin Abroue added:
“Death penalty is the only way forward in this country.”
Sarie Fredericks exclaimed:
“So young, wow. I wonder if he is a hitman.”
Other stories about crime in Philippi
Briefly News reported that there have been several stories about crime in the Philippi area of Cape Town.
Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament, Ian Cameron, spoke about a recent attack on him and two others in Philippi.
Seven men were shot dead in another mass shooting in Philippi East on 17 October 2025, with police launching a manhunt for the suspects.
Police linked a mass shooting in Philippi East to extortion-related violence in the Western Cape.
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Source: Briefly News
