Hundreds of murders in the Western Cape in just seven weeks

THE Western Cape has recorded hundreds of murders in just seven weeks, prompting urgent interventions from the police and a direct warning to gang leaders from Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

From July 1 until August 23, 2025, hundreds of people were killed in the policing districts for the top 30 stations, known for violent crime, in the province.

“I’m going to engage with religious leaders who have taken the initiative to talk to me,’ Cachalia said.

“I’ve addressed a communication to my office for a meeting so that I understand what is required, with religious leaders taking the initiative to talk with me on Monday. Hopefully, from those engagements, I will decide what needs to be done. I plan to be back in Cape Town to pay dedicated attention to this matter. If urgent steps are required, further steps will be taken once I’ve gone through this process.”

He condemned the ongoing killings and issued a strong warning.

“Where you have unruly gangs shooting people in the streets, it's not acceptable. So I can say it is a message to those gangs: they must stop. Because I do not regard the status quo as acceptable”

Cachalia confirmed that a submission on the devolution of policing powers to the Western Cape and the City of Cape ‘Town had been received by his office.