The residents of Hawston are mourning the death of one of his residents, who died in a shooting incident at Buffels Bay in the Cape Point Nature Reserve on Tuesday, 27 October.

Reportedly Duncan Hanekom (43), was declared dead on the scene after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest. A second man (46), also from Hawston, was shot in the left rib cage and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Simonstown police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder following the incident, which occurred at approximately 16:30.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel FC van Wyk, three firearms belonging to park rangers were taken in as exhibits for further processing.

“Seven suspects were arrested for the illegal possession of abalone,” said Van Wyk. “They are due to appear in court once they have been charged.”

The seven suspects are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to the illegal possession of abalone, firearms and ammunition.

Use of force in anti-poaching

That park rangers opened fire on the suspected poachers raised many questions for the family and sent shockwaves through the close-knit Hawston fishing community, where many families have for generations depended on the sea for their livelihood.

Van Wyk confirmed that investigations continue, and three firearms were confiscated as exhibits for further processing.

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The shooting comes amid growing concern about the use of force in anti-poaching operations along the Western Cape coastline. Just weeks before the Buffels Bay incident, Metro Police opened fire during a high-speed chase with suspected abalone poachers in Sea Point, and in June, SANParks arrested 12 suspects in a separate intelligence-driven operation at Cape Point.

Anyone with information about the Buffels Bay incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application to submit information anonymously.