Three Dead in Khayelitsha After Passenger Randomly Opens Fire Inside Vehicle
Provincial Serious and Violent Crime detectives have launched a manhunt following a horrific shooting incident that left three men dead in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, in Cape Town in the Western Cape on Wednesday afternoon.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Makhaza registered three counts of murder after responding to the active crime scene on Joe Gqabi Street, Town Two, at approximately 12:30 on 16 September 2026.
Upon arrival, responding SAPS members discovered the body of an adult male with multiple gunshot wounds inside a grey Toyota vehicle.
The scale of the tragedy quickly expanded as officers discovered a second adult male body, also riddled with multiple gunshot wounds, roughly 500 metres away from the initial vehicle scene.
While securing the second scene, police were alerted to a third body discovered nearby in Tabang Street.
Preliminary investigations have revealed a shocking sequence of events. Authorities believe that all three deceased individuals were originally inside the grey Toyota together when another passenger unexpectedly pulled out a firearm and randomly opened fire on his fellow passengers.
The shooter fled the scene on foot immediately after the attack and remains at large.
The motive for the deadly shooting is currently unknown, and authorities noted that formal identification of the three deceased males is still underway.
SAPS is urgently appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone who can shed light on the circumstances surrounding this shooting, or who has information regarding the identity and whereabouts of the suspect, is urged to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111. Alternatively, tips can be submitted anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
