7 dead in suspected extortion-linked mass shooting near Cape Town
PTC Web Desk: At least seven persons were shot dead in a township on the outskirts of Cape Town in the early hours of Saturday, in what South African police believe may be an extortion-related attack.
According to a police statement, the shooting took place shortly after midnight in Marikana, leaving six men and one woman, aged between 30 and 50, dead at the scene. Three others sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The police said the attackers fled immediately after the incident, and no arrests have been made so far. A manhunt has been launched, and investigations are continuing to trace those responsible.
Authorities suspect the killings are linked to ongoing extortion activities in the area, although the exact motive is still being probed.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over violent crime in South Africa, where organised criminal networks continue to fuel deadly attacks. Police data shows that an average of about 63 persons were killed daily between July and September last year.
Cape Town’s Cape Flats region, where the shooting occurred, is notorious for gang-related violence. More than 2,000 murders were reported in the area during the first nine months of 2025 alone.
The country has witnessed several mass shootings in recent months. In December, separate gun attacks at a hostel and a bar claimed nearly two dozen lives, including those of children.
- With inputs from agencies
