A domestic dispute turned deadly outside Portland’s Primary, as a man, believed to be the brother of the victims, opened fire in a tragedy that has left a community in shock.
MITCHELL’S PLAIN, Cape Town – A quiet afternoon school run turned into a scene of horror on Thursday when two women were shot and killed outside Portlands Primary School, in a shooting allegedly carried out by a close relative.
The victims, aged 26 and 30, were waiting for children to be dismissed at around 3:00 PM on Wespoort Drive when they were approached and shot. A 12-year-old boy, a Grade 6 learner at the school who was an innocent bystander, was also injured in the attack.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a 32-year-old man, believed to be the brother of the two deceased women, was arrested shortly after the incident. The younger woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while her older sister died after being rushed to a nearby medical facility.
Community and School Reeling
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) expressed its profound sorrow. “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved,” said WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond.
The department has mobilised its psycho-social support unit to provide critical counselling services to the learners and staff of Portlands Primary who witnessed the traumatic event.
Domestic Violence Suspected as Motive
While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary reports from police sources indicate that the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. The alleged attacker specifically targeted the two women, turning a place of learning and safety into a crime scene.
The young boy who was injured is reported to be in a stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to be formally charged with two counts of murder and one of attempted murder when he appears in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court.
This devastating incident has cast a pall over the Mitchell’s Plain community, serving as a grim reminder of the deadly impact of domestic conflict and the urgent need for accessible intervention and support systems.
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