Tracy-Lynn Ruiters|Published
A well-known Tafelsig barber was shot dead inside his barbershop on Tuesday evening, just hours after police restored calm following violent unrest linked to the murder of a young woman in the community.
The barber, known as David, was killed in Paulsberg Street at about 8.07pm when unknown gunmen reportedly emerged from a minibus taxi and opened fire. Police said the motive remained unknown and no arrests had been made in connection with his murder.
Barber killed inside his shop
Police confirmed that David was inside his barbershop when the suspects opened fire. He sustained two gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.
“This office confirms that Mitchells Plain police registered a case of murder following a shooting incident at a barbershop in Paulsberg Street, Tafelsig on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at about 20:07,” police said.
“According to reports, the deceased was inside the barbershop when unknown suspects came out of a minibus taxi and shot at him.”
Police said the motive for the attack remained unknown and no arrests had been made in connection with the barber’s murder.
A Tafelsig resident, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said they knew David and described him as a family man and community worker.
“The shooting is gang related but the barber was not a gangster. I knew him and he was a God fearing man and a community worker. He was a very loving, caring and a family man who just did his work and went home. He was open till late at night and everyone in the community knew him,” the resident said.
Eight arrested after Tafelsig unrest
The killing came hours after violent unrest erupted in Tafelsig on Tuesday, when community members reportedly confronted a man they suspected of being involved in the murder of a young woman whose burnt body was discovered in the area over the weekend.
Residents allegedly gathered outside the man’s home before angry community members took to the streets, burning tyres and throwing stones as law enforcement officers attempted to restore order.
Stun grenades were deployed as tensions escalated.
SAPS spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that eight people had been arrested in connection with the unrest.
“Eight adult males were arrested for public violence and will appear before the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court once they have been charged,” Gwala said.
Gwala also confirmed that the suspect in the earlier murder investigation had not been charged at that stage.
Burnt body found in Tafelsig
The unrest followed the discovery of a body burnt beyond recognition near the corner of Hugenote Street and AZ Berman Drive on Saturday, 17 October.
A murder investigation was opened, and a post-mortem examination was requested to establish the deceased’s identity and cause of death.
The body has not yet been identified.