Another murder has taken place in Delft within 24 hours.  

A 58-year-old woman was shot and killed in a home on Silversands Road in Leiden on Thursday night, at around 20:30.  

“Police members attended to the crime scene where they found the victim in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to her head,” read the police statement on the incident, noting that she was declared deceased on the scene.

Witnesses tell police that two suspects were seen fleeing the house after the shooting. Western Cape police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said they fled with money and cellphones.  

“According to reports two unknown suspects entered the house and shot the victim. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, and cellular telephones,” said Twigg.  

While locals claim the incident may be related to extortion, Twigg did not confirm this, noting that the investigation into the motive and murder is still ongoing. 

Just a day earlier, an off-duty soldier with South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was gunned down in Delft South. 

The soldier was killed on Kokerboom Road at around 22:20 on Wednesday, roughly three kilometres from the previously mentioned crime scene. 

“Officers found a 37-year-old male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was declared deceased on the scene,” said Twigg.  

Detectives have not revealed what they suspect to be the motive for his murder, with even local crime fighters mum on the incident. The circumstances are being investigated.  

Twigg has, however, clarified that the soldier was not affiliated with the current SANDF deployment in the Western Cape under Operation Prosper, which is aimed at stabilising high-crime and gang-affected communities, including Delft. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased is a member of the SANDF who was off duty at the time of the incident and has no link to Operation Prosper,” said Twigg.  

No arrests have been made in either case, with both investigations ongoing.