Delft, Cape Town – The new year began tragically in Delft, where a shopkeeper was shot through the counter of his spaza shop on Wednesday, 1 January 2025, leaving him fighting for his life.
The brazen attack, which occurred around 10pm as the shopkeeper was preparing to close, has left residents reeling and fuelled fears of escalating extortion rackets in the area.
According to police and community sources, three men posing as customers approached the shop. Instead of making a purchase, they opened fire, striking the shopkeeper. He was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
A Delft resident, who requested anonymity, expressed their grim suspicion: “The month has just ended, these boys must have been collecting, but the shopkeeper may not have given them what they wanted. If it's month-end or middle of the month, on the 15th, these kinds of incidents are common.” This sentiment points towards a grim reality: the suspected motive is the non-payment of a protection fee.
Delft Community Police Forum (CPF) chairman, Jacky Ockhuizen, confirmed the incident, stating that the shopkeeper was unaware of the imminent danger. “The tuck shop operator was shot instantly through the counter window. Circumstances behind this shooting incident are still unknown. Delft CPF suspects extortion for protection money,” the CPF spokesman explained.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the attempted murder investigation, providing further details: “Reports suggested that unidentified armed men approached a local shop in Marigold Street in Delft South on Wednesday, 01 January 2025, around 10pm. They fired a gunshot at the foreign national, who was busy serving customers, causing serious injury. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.” Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
A resident of Kraaifontein, who also wished to remain anonymous, described the pervasive fear in the community: “These boys are demanding protection fee from everyone, it doesn’t matter what you're selling. I used to be a vendor in our area, but I stopped. I had to move and operate from somewhere else. I suspect makhulu was murdered because she had not paid them.”
The woman further explained the complex and dangerous situation faced by vendors: “The challenge is that you sometimes pay them, and another gang demands money the following day. People sometimes paid twice.” The financial burden placed upon these small businesses is immense, forcing many to make difficult choices. “We don’t get much money on the streets and the protection fee issue has made the lives of vendors difficult. I decided to leave and now sell in the train,” she added.
A community leader in Kraaifontein expressed their deep concern and frustration: “I've heard that makhulu’s death is in connection with protection fee payment. We don’t know. We must give the police a chance to investigate. Demand for protection fee is in every corner. Government must do something.”
Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, confirming the details of the Kraaifontein incident, stated: “Circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation. According to reports, police members responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival on the scene, they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. She was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. Motive for the attack forms part of the investigation. The suspect(s) fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. A murder case was registered for investigation.”
Both incidents underscore the growing problem of extortion and violence plaguing communities across South Africa, leaving many small business owners living in constant fear and uncertainty.
