A 32-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court Monday, 12 October in connection with a mass shooting at a shisanyama in Lwandle that claimed the lives of 11 people and left 10 others injured.
The suspect was arrested on Friday 9 October during a tracing operation conducted by the investigation team at an address in Lwandle. He is facing 11 counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, three additional counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder in connection with a separate incident, as well as charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
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The mass shooting
The mass shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday 27 September at approximately 01:15 at KwaNdelu Shisanyama in Lwandle. Three unidentified gunmen allegedly opened fire on patrons at the establishment, leaving 11 people dead and 10 others injured.
During the suspect’s arrest, officers recovered a Norinco firearm and six cartridges. The firearm and ammunition were seized for further investigation and forensic analysis.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the firearm belonged to a deceased individual and had not previously been reported stolen. BFurther investigations and ballistic tests are underway to determine whether the recovered firearm was used in the mass shooting or any other related crimes.
Linked to July shooting
The suspect has also been linked to a separate incident in Lwandle in July this year, in which three people were shot and killed and four others were wounded. The victims were allegedly playing music from vehicles in the street when two men arrived and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Investigations into both incidents are continuing, with officers working to establish the possible involvement of other suspects.
Police commend investigation team
Western Cape police management has welcomed the arrest and commended the investigation team for its continued efforts to bring those responsible for these violent crimes to justice. Officers will continue to pursue all available leads and hold those responsible accountable.
