The community of Gugulethu in the Western Cape has once again been rocked by violent crime after two alleged members of a so-called “protection fee gang” were gunned down in the Barcelona informal settlement on Sunday evening, September 14, 2025.
According to witnesses, the shooting broke out just after 5:30pm, sending shockwaves through the settlement as residents reported hearing multiple bursts of gunfire. When community members cautiously emerged from their homes moments later, they discovered two men lying motionless on the ground.
One of the victims, who had been shot in the head, died instantly. The second man sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his legs and succumbed to his injuries before medical personnel could intervene. A third individual, believed to have been part of the same group, managed to escape unharmed.
Gang-Related Motive Suspected
Community members who witnessed the aftermath of the incident said both victims were wearing traditional scarves often associated with protection fee collectors operating in the area. “We immediately knew who they were,” explained one resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They came here to collect money from spaza shop owners in Barcelona, but it looks like they were ambushed before they even reached their target.”
Residents also revealed that such confrontations have become disturbingly routine in the settlement, particularly around the middle and end of each month when gangs demand protection fees from local business owners. Rival groups often clash over who controls these illegal collections, resulting in sporadic outbreaks of violence.
“They fight a lot on the 15th and at month-end,” said another resident. “That’s when the money is collected, and everyone wants a piece. This time, the deceased never even made it to the spaza shop. They were attacked beforehand.”
Police Investigation Underway
Western Cape police have confirmed the shooting and launched an investigation into what is believed to be another extortion-related killing. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg detailed the incident in a statement:
“Gugulethu police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Sunday afternoon, 14 September 2025, at approximately 5:30pm. Upon arrival at the scene in the Barcelona informal settlement, officers discovered the bodies of two adult males who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Both victims were declared deceased by medical personnel on site.”
Twigg further confirmed that detectives are treating the matter as a gang-related double murder. “The motive for the attack is believed to be extortion. The suspects fled the scene and remain at large. Gugulethu detectives are investigating two counts of murder,” he said.
Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance in tracking down the perpetrators. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or provide anonymous tips through the MySAPS mobile app.
Fear and Frustration in the Community
The killings have heightened fears among Gugulethu residents, many of whom already feel trapped between rival gangs and extortion schemes that target small business owners. Spaza shops in informal settlements are frequent victims of these groups, which demand regular payments under the threat of violence.
Community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger policing and lasting interventions to curb extortion-related crimes. Residents warn that unless decisive action is taken, such deadly shootouts will continue to plague the settlement and put innocent lives at risk.
As the investigation continues, the deaths of the two alleged gang members serve as yet another reminder of the deep-rooted challenges facing Gugulethu — a community caught in the crossfire of gang violence, poverty, and the struggle for survival.
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