KEY POINTS
- A man was shot dead inside Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in a suspected gang-related attack, sparking panic and exposing security gaps.
- Police confirm the victim died of multiple gunshot wounds, with no arrests yet, though a white Toyota Quantum was linked to the suspects.
- The incident has intensified calls for judicial safety reforms, as Cape Town grapples with rising gang violence and brazen public attacks
A brazen daytime shooting at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, has left one man dead and raised urgent questions about security in judicial spaces.
The incident, which occurred just before 11 am, is believed to be gang-related, marking another violent episode in Cape Town’s ongoing struggle with organised crime.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as gunmen entered the court building and opened fire in the lobby. “The victim was seated outside the courtroom when the shooter walked up and fired multiple times.
People screamed and dropped to the floor—it was chaos,” one court official recounted. The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, sustained three gunshot wounds to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police confirm gang link
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the attack but withheld further details pending investigation. “Wynberg police have registered a murder case following the shooting.
The victim sustained fatal injuries, and no arrests have been made yet,” Twigg stated. Authorities suspect the involvement of a white Toyota Quantum, used by the assailants to flee.
IOL reports that the attack has reignited debates over court security, with legal professionals expressing alarm. “This is a direct assault on the justice system.
If gunmen can strike inside a courthouse, nowhere is safe,” said a local attorney who requested anonymity. Gang violence has long plagued Cape Flats communities, but the boldness of this shooting—inside a government building—has heightened fears of escalating lawlessness.
Community activists are calling for immediate intervention. “We need more police visibility and better screening at court entrances. These gangs operate with impunity,” said a representative from a Wynberg anti-crime group. Meanwhile, police urge witnesses to come forward, offering anonymity via Crime Stop (08600 10111) or the MySAPS app.
