Family feud ignites deadly gang violence in Mitchells Plain

Western Cape police have revealed that the motive behind the series of shootings in Mitchells Plain on Thursday was linked to a domestic dispute between members of rival gangs within the same extended family.

Speaking during a visit to the Mitchells Plain police station, Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile said the violence appeared to have been triggered by a conflict between in-laws, both allegedly high-ranking figures in opposing gangs.

“It would have been difficult to anticipate that this was going to happen, because it started as a domestic fight between two related leaders from different opposing gangs within the same family. It escalated to the point where we lost many lives and many more were injured,” said Patekile.

He confirmed that 19 people had been taken into custody in connection with the incidents. Of those, five have been charged in unrelated matters, including illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, while the remaining 14 are still being questioned concerning the various shooting scenes.

“Currently, of the 19 in the cells, five are connected to other cases. Two of them have been arrested for illegal possession of firearms, one for illegal possession of ammunition, and the other two for cases being investigated in the area,” he said.

Patekile added that some of the victims were shot at or near spaza shops in Beacon Valley and Town Centre, while another was shot inside a home, through a window.

“We have reason to believe that some of these incidents may be linked due to similarities in the nature of the attacks and possible suspects. But for others, such as the one at Town Centre, we haven’t yet established a direct link.”

He said police were pursuing leads involving vehicles allegedly seen fleeing the scenes, including a red vehicle and a marked minibus taxi that matched descriptions from witnesses.

“We are working hard to stabilise the area, and we know who we are looking for, but we are still gathering the necessary evidence.”

In response to the attacks, police have deployed nearly 100 officers across high-risk areas, including Beacon Valley and Westridge. This is in addition to the more than 400 officers deployed jointly with the City of Cape Town since June 1 to hotspot stations that account for more than 70% of gang-related incidents in the province.

“We are going to maintain our presence in these areas until stability is achieved,” said Patekile. “But we are also making sure that other hotspot areas are not left vulnerable.”

He added that SAPS was working to trace and seize unregistered firearms, including those from the estates of deceased gun owners who had not re-applied for legal possession.

“We want to prevent these firearms from falling into the wrong hands and being used in shootings. Some of these will be sent for ballistic testing.”

Patekile declined to name the gang leaders involved, saying: “I’m not going to promote them. They are just criminals. This started small between family in-laws, then escalated and dragged in others, leading to what we saw.”

He said investigations into possible motives also included extortion and hit-style killings. One of the victims was a known hawker operating in the area, police said.

Asked about the broader call for the deployment of the military, Patekile said SAPS welcomed any support that may arise from such a process but emphasised that, operationally, they remained focused on stabilisation and arrests.

“The president, the minister, and the national commissioner will decide on that. But whatever support we can get, we will accept.”

Patekile also said he supports the idea of a commission of inquiry into gang violence.

The shootings, which occurred in five separate incidents on Thursday, July 3, left five people dead and seven others wounded.

SAPS confirmed that the 72-hour plan activated after the violence would remain in place beyond the weekend. “It’s not just a 72-hour response. We are here to stay until this area is stabilised,” Patekile said.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za