A shocking incident has shaken Gugulethu in the Western Cape as two alleged members of a protection fee gang were shot dead at Barcelona informal settlement.
The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, 14 September.
ALSO READ | Five suspects shot by police in Chatsworth
Residents reported hearing bursts of gunshots.
When they rushed outside moments later, they found two men on the ground, bleeding.
One was shot in the head, died instantly. The other, wounded in the legs, died at the scene.
The third victim, believed to be part of the group, escaped.
“Both victims had the scarves that are worn by Arabs in the Middle East. Then, we figured out that it is a protection fee gang that had come to collect money from spaza shops in Barcelona, but were ambushed by the other group,” said a resident, who wished to remain anonymous.
It’s alleged the gang was ambushed before reaching their target.
According to residents, such clashes often occur mid-month and month-end when rival groups fight over money collected from spaza shop owners.
“They fight a lot, especially at the end of the month and on the 15th of the month, since that is when they collect their money. The deceased were attacked before they could even reach the spaza shop,” said another witness.
Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident.
“Gugulethu police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Sunday afternoon, 14 September 2025, at about 5.30pm in the Barcelona informal settlement and upon arrival on the scene, they found bodies of two adult males who sustained gunshot wounds.
“The victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. Motive for the attack is believed to be extortion-related.”
ALSO READ | Four hostel men shot by Police in Soweto
“The suspect(s) fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. Gugulethu detectives are investigating two counts of murder,” said Twigg.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile app anonymously.
