Western Cape residents of Kensight informal settlement in Brown’s Farm, Philippi, are shocked and terrified.
A 22-year-old man was shot and killed on his way home from a spaza shop early on Sunday morning, 12 October.
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The shooting happened at about 6.30am, just a few metres from the young man’s home.
According to residents, gunshots rang out in the quiet morning on Sunday, prompting people to take cover in their homes.
When the community finally went outside, they found the young man lying dead in the street with three gunshot wounds to the head.
A resident said she realised that the victim was a young man who lived down her street.
“He was not a naughty person in our community. He was always at home, and we are shocked that he died in such a manner,” said the neighbour.
The resident said that the house the young man lived in had been a source of family conflict.
“That house has been a centre of controversy for a long time. His uncle was kicked out by a new owner last year, but the deceased refused to leave, saying it was a family house.”
“Whether his death is linked to that, we cannot say, but he was not one of those troublesome kids in our kasi,” the resident said.
Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident.
“The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Sunday morning, 12 October 2025, at about 6.30am, in Kensight informal settlement, Brown’s Farm, where a 22-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded, are under investigation,” he said.
Twigg said Nyanga police found the victim with gunshot wounds and that he was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.
The motive for the attack is not yet known, and no arrests have been made.
Nyanga detectives are investigating a murder case.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.
“Anyone with any information about this shooting incident can contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously,” Twigg said.
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Residents said they now live in fear as crime continues to rise in their area.
“We are scared. People are being killed for no reason, and we don’t even know who to trust anymore,” said another resident.
