Police probe extortion link at mass Cape Flats shooting

Graphic of shooting scene

More details are emerging following a shooting incident in the Marikana informal settlement on the Cape Flats. Police say the death toll has risen to eight.

The incident, which happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, is suspected to be linked to extortion in the area.

The deceased include a woman who is the owner of the shebeen where the incident took place.

Two wounded people are in hospital and three suspects are on the run.

Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile confirms that the incident happened around midnight.

” Ten people were shot and of the 10, six died on the scene and one died on the way to the hospital in an ambulance and the eighth one died in hospital. Two that are in the hospital are in a critical condition. We are informed that more than three men walked into the shebeen and started shooting at patrons including the owner of the shebeen and her assistant that also died.”

WATCH | Seven people lost their lives in a tavern in the Marikana informal settlement in the Western Cape early this morning. Three men were injured and taken to hospital. pic.twitter.com/cTVdh6ogvc

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 17, 2026