Woman Killed In Mitchells Plain Drive-By Shooting As Gang Violence Fears Grow

A 46-year-old woman was shot and killed during a drive-by shooting in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, on Thursday night while walking with a man believed to be her boyfriend.

The shooting happened shortly before 10pm in Merrydale Avenue when gunmen allegedly opened fire from a vehicle, striking the woman multiple times in the chest.

She was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.

Mitchells Plain Police Probe Deadly Rocklands Shooting

Police have opened a murder case following the fatal shooting.

Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala confirmed officers responded to the scene at around 9.50pm.

“On Thursday, 7 May 2026, at about 9.50pm, Mitchells Plain police attended a complaint of a shooting at Merrydale Avenue, Rocklands. Upon arrival, they found the body of a 46-year-old female lying in a field with three gunshot wounds.

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“She was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, and the motive for the shooting is a subject of police investigation,” Gwala explained.

Gang Violence Concerns Raised After Rocklands Shooting

Mitchells Plain United Residents Association representative Norman Jantjies said the victim and her boyfriend had allegedly been walking from the Tafelsig area before the attack.

“The incident happened on Thursday evening. She (the victim) and her boyfriend apparently walked from the Tafelsig side.

“She was shot in a drive-by shooting. According to community members, the boyfriend is a known gang member,” Jantjies added.

A member of the Rocklands Neighbourhood Watch, who asked not to be named, said residents have become increasingly fearful because of ongoing gang violence in the area.

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“It seems like the Fancy Boys want to take over the entire community. There are continuous gang fights with groupings like the Fancy Boys and the Naughty Boys.

“The area is tense, it is not safe to just walk around because these jongens just open fire and start shooting, they don’t care who you are. They shoot anyone,” the source claimed.

Meanwhile, police confirmed that three suspects aged between 17 and 49 are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court following a separate shooting incident in the Vlei informal settlement in Athlone on Saturday night.

The suspects were arrested by members of the Flying Squad after an alleged shootout.

Gwala said police confiscated two firearms and 73 rounds of ammunition during the operation.

“Two firearms with 73 rounds of ammunition were confiscated and booked in as evidence,” he added.