A routine election patrol turned into a double murder investigation in Khayelitsha on Monday morning, 2 October 2026, after Maitland Flying Squad members arrested a 35-year-old man moments after two people were shot dead in Lingelethu West.

Police say officers were patrolling along Robert Sobukwe Road when they heard gunshots coming from near a shopping mall.

When they rushed to investigate, they found one person lying on the ground. But moments later, another gunshot rang out, prompting officers to run towards where it came from.

They then came face-to-face with a suspect, who was allegedly running towards them with a firearm.

“Upon noticing the police, the suspect dropped the firearm and was immediately arrested,” police said in a statement.

Two victims, aged 32 and 46, were found dead at the scene.

The firearm was recovered, with further investigations establishing that it is licensed to a person from Stellenbosch.

The 35-year-old has since been detained at Lingelethu West Police Station and is facing two counts of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

He is expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court once formally charged.