The Table View Community Policing Forum (CPF) has issued an urgent appeal to the public to stop sharing video footage linked to the fatal shooting at a café in Marine Circle, Table View, warning that the circulation of the footage could jeopardise an active police investigation.

The statement follows Monday afternoon’s shooting in the Marine Circle precinct, where a 33-year-old man was gunned down in what police believe may have been a targeted attack.

According to provincial police spokesperson Capt FC Van Wyk, Table View police responded to reports of a shooting at around 14:00 on Monday 25 May.

“Upon arrival at the scene, members found the body of a 33-year-old male with several gunshot wounds lying on his stomach,” Van Wyk said.

The victim was declared dead on the scene and no arrests have yet been made.

CPF warns footage could compromise case

The CPF told TygerBurger today they had become aware that footage of the shooting was being widely circulated on social media platforms and neighbourhood WhatsApp groups.

The CPF, working alongside the police, urged residents, community groups and media organisations to immediately stop sharing or reposting the videos.

According to the CPF, the unauthorised dissemination of the footage could interfere with witness identification processes, alert suspects and contaminate evidence that may be crucial in court proceedings.

The forum also warned that individuals distributing the footage could face possible legal consequences under South African law, including defeating the ends of justice, violating the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and potentially exposing witnesses or sensitive information linked to the case.

Appeal for dignity and empathy

Beyond the legal implications, the CPF called on the public to consider the emotional impact on the victim’s family and loved ones.

“The continuous looping and viral sharing of a highly traumatic event inflicts profound emotional distress on the loved ones involved and desensitises our community to violence,” the CPF said.

Residents in possession of original footage, CCTV recordings, dashcam material or eyewitness information have instead been urged to hand it directly to investigators at Table View Police Station or through the Crime Stop hotline.

Police investigations into the murder remain ongoing.

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