Residents of the Vlei informal settlement in Samora Machel, Cape Town, were left in shock after the body of a man believed to be a Rastafarian was discovered lying in the street early on Saturday morning, November 1, 2025.
According to eyewitnesses, the man was found with a gunshot wound to the head. His shoes were located several metres away from the body, suggesting that he might have been trying to escape his attacker before being fatally shot. The scene drew a large crowd of concerned community members, many of whom said they were deeply unsettled by the gruesome discovery.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that no one in the area seemed to recognize the deceased. “He is a Rastaman, and we went to the house where most of the Rastas gather, but nobody knows him,” the resident explained. “It’s heartbreaking that someone can die like this, and we don’t even know who he is.”
Another witness recalled hearing two gunshots at around 4 a.m. but said they did not investigate at the time because violence in the area is common, particularly at the end of the month. “We often hear gunfire, so we don’t go outside. It’s too dangerous,” the resident added.
Some community members believe the man may have been the victim of a robbery gone wrong. “When police and residents checked his body, his pockets were empty. It looks like whoever killed him also took his belongings,” said another local.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that officers were called to the scene after residents reported finding the body at Sweet Homes Farm in the Vlei settlement. Captain Frederick Van Wyk said that a case of murder has been opened and that detectives are working to determine both the identity of the victim and the motive behind the killing.
“At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and no arrests have been made,” Captain Van Wyk said. He urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Crime Stop on **08600 10111** or to submit tips through the **MySAPS** mobile application anonymously.
The discovery has once again highlighted the ongoing problem of violent crime in Samora Machel and its surrounding informal settlements. Residents say that shootings and robberies happen frequently, leaving many feeling unsafe in their own community.
Community leaders have since called for increased police patrols and improved street lighting in crime-ridden areas, hoping to deter criminals who often take advantage of darkness and poor visibility. “We need more visibility from the police. People are dying, and it feels like nobody cares,” one local activist said.
As police continue to search for clues, residents are praying that the victim’s family will soon come forward to identify him and that justice will be served. The man’s death adds to the growing number of unsolved murders in Cape Town’s informal settlements, where poverty, unemployment, and crime remain persistent challenges.
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