Wife found with drugs and R400,000 cash after suspiciously leaving Table View crime scene were her Mauritius husband was shot dead

Cape Town – The investigation into the brazen daylight murder of a Mauritian national in Table View has taken a dramatic turn, with the victim's wife arrested on drug charges a day after the shooting. The arrest has fuelled speculation about the motive behind the killing and the victim's activities in Cape Town.

The 55-year-old man was gunned down in what is believed to be a targeted hit outside the Food Lovers Market at the Emporium Shopping Centre on Sandown Road on Saturday. The incident, which occurred while the victim was sitting in the passenger seat of a black Lexus with KwaZulu-Natal registration plates, sent shoppers fleeing in terror and left the community reeling.

According to a witness, the driver of the Lexus had just parked and entered the shopping centre when an armed man approached the passenger side of the vehicle and opened fire. "He fired several shots and then fled the scene," the witness stated. Images obtained by Celeb Gossip News show at least nine bullet holes on the passenger side of the car – four in the front and five on the left-side window.

The victim, whose identity has not yet been officially released, was a passenger in the vehicle when the shooting took place. According to a witness, the driver of the Lexus had just parked and entered the shopping centre when an armed man approached the passenger side of the vehicle and opened fire.

"He fired several shots and then fled the scene," the witness stated.

A security guard at the shopping centre described the ensuing panic as gunshots echoed through the area, sending shoppers running for cover.

"It was chaos," he said. "I went outside to record videos in case I'm asked to testify in court. This was definitely a hit – he was the target."

According to a Daily Voice source, as officials cordoned off the scene and the investigation commenced his wife, described as a Xhosa woman, rocked up at the crime scene.

The insider says: "She arrived there in pink pyjamas and claimed to be his wife, but mense did not believe her as they expected the wife of this bra to be Indian or Muslim. She didn't appear sad but she only stayed for a few minutes and left."

It was the wife's seemingly nonchalant demeanour and hasty departure from the crime scene that raised suspicions and prompted an anonymous tip-off to the police.

Drug Bust and Cash Seizure

Following the tip-off, police raided the couple's residence in Big Bay, where they uncovered a stash of illicit substances and a significant amount of cash.

The insider says: "The cops got a tip-off that she left the scene with drugs and went to her house in Big Bay. Here they found 25 Ecstacy tablets and about R400 000 cash in local currency. They also found about R100 000 in foreign currency and she was arrested."

Police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana confirms the arrest and says: ‘We can confirm that a 25-year-old suspect was arrested after ecstasy was found in the suspect’s possession. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday 25 March 2025 on a charge of possession of drugs."

Targeted Hit or Robbery Gone Wrong?

While police are exploring all possible motives, the prevailing theory remains that the shooting was a targeted assassination. David Harris of the Table View Community Police Forum echoed this sentiment, describing the incident as an isolated but "targeted hit".

Harris stated: "This was an isolated incident and very unusual for Table View. The response by medics and others to secure the scene was impeccable but the community sentiments are clear, everyone was shocked."

He continued, "We know that he is from Mauritius and was in the passenger seat when the shooting happened. As things stand we trust SAPS will get to the bottom of what this is really about. We were informed that a cellphone was taken but we doubt this was a robbery. It appears that this was a targeted hit and that the deceased may have been followed."

A Daily Voice source provided further insight, stating: "There is almost no information on who this guy is or what he is doing in Cape Town. He was a passenger in the vehicle and the driver went inside the shop. Three suspects, one of which was armed, arrived and fired multiple shots at the passenger side of the car and they fled. There are talks that a cellphone was taken but nothing is clear."

According to a police source, the victim's cellphone was stolen during the attack, although authorities have not confirmed whether robbery was the primary motive. The unharmed driver of the Lexus appeared visibly shaken and informed police that the victim was Muslim and needed to be buried as soon as possible, in accordance with Islamic tradition, which typically calls for burials to be carried out within 24 hours to honour the deceased.

Unanswered Questions and Speculation

The lack of information surrounding the victim's presence in Cape Town, coupled with his wife's arrest on drug charges, has fuelled speculation and intrigue, with many questioning the circumstances that led to his violent death.

The insider says: "She wasn't arrested for murder, but the drugs found in their house puts a new spin on the investigation as more questions arise about who this guy was and why he was killed and by whom."

The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in identifying and apprehending the suspects. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.