WESTERN CAPE – A 32-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court this morning (Monday, 12 October 2026) in connection with a mass shooting at a shisanyama in Lwandle that claimed the lives of 11 people and left 10 others injured.
The suspect was arrested on Friday, 9 October 2026, during a tracing operation conducted by the investigation team at an address in Lwandle. He is facing 11 counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, three additional counts of murder relating to a separate incident, and charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The mass shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 27 September 2026, at approximately 01:15 at Kwandelo Shisanyama in Lwandle. Three unidentified gunmen allegedly opened fire on patrons at the establishment, leaving 11 people dead and 10 others injured.
During the suspect’s arrest, police recovered a Norinco firearm and six cartridges. The firearm and ammunition were seized for further investigation and forensic analysis.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the firearm belongs to a deceased individual and had not previously been reported stolen or robbed. Ballistic tests and further investigative work are underway to determine whether the recovered firearm was used in the mass shooting and any other related crimes.
The suspect has also been linked to a separate triple murder in Lwandle in July 2026. In that incident, three people were allegedly shot and killed while playing music in vehicles in the street, when two men arrived and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Investigations into both incidents are continuing, with police working to establish the possible involvement of other suspects.
The Western Cape police management has welcomed the arrest and commended the investigation team for its continued efforts to bring those responsible for these violent crimes to justice. Police remain committed to pursuing all available leads and holding those responsible accountable.
