A man was shot and killed while entering the Athlone Magistrate's Court in Cape Town on Friday morning, police said, in an incident authorities believe to be gang-related.
The man was gunned down while entering the court on Friday morning. Police were on scene and cordoned off the area as people, presumably the family of the man, broke down in tears.
The incident happened this morning. Police remain on the scene. eNCA reporter Ayesha Ismail reports that the scene remain volatile.
Nobody was allowed to enter the court building until the scene was cleared by investigators. The motive for the shooting is unclear.
The shooting marks the latest in a string of violent incidents at Western Cape courts this year. In August, a 24-year-old man was shot dead and another wounded outside the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court. Four armed men opened fire on the victims as they left the building around 11:15 a.m. local time (0915 GMT), according to Western Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi.
"The two men had appeared in court, and as they left the building at around 11:15 a.m., they came under fire," Swartbooi said of the August incident. The attacks are believed to be gang-related.
Thursday saw another fatal shooting when a 42-year-old off-duty police officer was killed in Asanda Village, Lwandle, near Strand. The officer, a taxi owner affiliated with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association, was driving when unknown gunmen opened fire.
"The deceased was driving down the street when unknown gunmen opened fire, fatally shooting him in the upper body," said Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie. "He lost control of his vehicle, which came to a halt against a residential fence."
Police said the motive in Thursday's case appeared to be taxi-related. The suspects remain at large.
The Western Cape has experienced a surge in court-related violence amid ongoing gang conflicts. Security measures at court facilities remain under review following multiple incidents this year.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application.
