KEY POINTS
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Three men in their 20s were fatally shot in what police believe may have been a targeted hit in Khayelitsha’s Site B.
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Authorities are investigating the motive, with growing suspicions of gang involvement amid rising community fears.
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Police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stop anonymously, as visible policing is expected to increase in the area.
Khayelitsha, a densely populated township on the outskirts of Cape Town, was once again shaken by violence on Friday night when the bodies of three young men were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds in Site B.
According to police, the victims—believed to be in their twenties—were found in Mbesa Crescent, and authorities suspect the killings may have been a targeted hit.
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel André Traut confirmed the discovery, stating that the suspects fled the scene shortly after the incident. “While the exact motive remains unclear, investigators are exploring the possibility that the incident may have been a targeted hit,” said Traut.
Authorities intensify efforts to combat organised crime Khayelitsha incident
Sowetanlive reports that the killings have reignited concerns over escalating violence and gang-related activity in Khayelitsha, a region that has battled waves of criminal unrest for years. Local residents reported hearing multiple gunshots on Friday evening but were too frightened to approach the scene until law enforcement arrived.
Community activist Luthando Masiza spoke to local media on Saturday, describing the incident as a heartbreaking reminder of the area’s vulnerability. “We live in fear. Every day we hope our young men come home alive. We are tired of burying our children,” he said.
While police have not yet confirmed whether the killings are linked to known gang activity, sources within the crime intelligence division suspect turf wars may be at play. In recent years, Khayelitsha has seen a surge in violence related to gang disputes, drug trafficking, and extortion rackets targeting local businesses.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has appealed to the public for assistance. “Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111,” said Traut, emphasizing that even small details can help crack open such cases.
Authorities are also expected to increase visible policing in the area in the wake of the killings, as pressure mounts on government and law enforcement officials to implement lasting crime prevention strategies in vulnerable communities.
This latest incident adds to a worrying trend of unresolved killings in the township. According to the 2023/2024 crime statistics, Khayelitsha remains one of the top hotspots for violent crime in the Western Cape, with dozens of murder cases still open and few arrests made.
Social development groups have called for a coordinated response, involving both policing and community-level intervention. “You cannot police your way out of a crisis like this alone. Socioeconomic upliftment, education, and youth employment must be part of the long-term solution,” said Siphesihle Ngwenya, a policy analyst with the Institute for Urban Safety.
As the families of the three victims prepare for funeral arrangements, the community remains on edge, hoping that justice will be served and peace restored.
