Athlone court murder suspect among three arrested in alleged gang-related crimes

One of three suspects arrested during a Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit operation targeting gang-related violence on the Cape Flats, Rameez Jacobs, 38, appeared in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 29, on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Mr Jacobs is accused of involvement in a fatal shooting outside the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 3, as well as an attempted murder that occurred nearby in Kew Town minutes later. He was remanded in custody and is expected to return to court on January 5, 2026.

"This court appearance follows a series of intelligence-driven operations aimed at identifying, tracing and arresting individuals linked to gang-related murders and attempted murders," said police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut.

Mr Jacobs was arrested during coordinated Anti-Gang Unit operations carried out across Manenberg, Athlone and Mitchells Plain between Saturday evening and the early hours of Sunday morning.

Another police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, confirmed that two other suspects, aged 28 and 36, were also arrested in connection with gang-related murders and attempted murders linked to shootings dating back to 2017 and 2025.

"The execution of the operation forms part of a comprehensive plan by the police in the Western Cape to curb ongoing gang activity and restore order in communities that are plagued by gang violence.

"With other law enforcement agencies, the police continue with targeted operations at identified hotspots where numerous illegal firearms have been confiscated, and arrests effected," she said.

Western Cape received a boost earlier this month when almost 450 additional constables, who completed their basic training, were deployed. 

The acting MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety in the Western Cape, Tertuis Simmers, has welcomed the arrest of the suspects.

“While I welcome these arrests as a positive step, we now require watertight dockets to be presented to court to ensure successful prosecutions in these gang-related shootings and killings," he said.