Athlone double murder: Police probe suspected gang killings near magistrates court

Cape Town police are investigating the fatal shootings of two men, suspected to be gang-related, in Athlone.

A 32-year-old man was killed while sitting in his car, about 50m from the local magistrates court on Wednesday afternoon.

Minutes later, a 31-year-old was shot dead about 300m away in the Kewtown area.

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk explained, "Athlone police have registered two separate cases of murder following two shooting incidents. The suspect or suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. The motive for these attacks forms part of our police investigations."

ALSO READ: This is the second such incident outside the same court in three months.

At the same time, the Athlone Community Policing Forum (CPF) has condemned the latest shootings outside the Athlone magistrate’s court.

In September, a man was shot and killed while entering the Athlone court building.

Athlone CPF chairperson Vernon Piedt said more needs to be done about security outside court

"I think we have to have more interaction with the community so that they can give us more information on who is who. But also, a greater interaction more with courts and the police to make sure things like this do not happen anymore."