Suspect in fatal shooting outside Athlone Court makes first appearance in hof

THE South African Police Service in the Western Cape has reiterated its “firm and unwavering stance against gangsterism” following the court appearance of a suspect linked to the fatal shooting outside the Athlone Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.

SAPS Western Cape spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the appearance follows a series of intelligence-driven operations by the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit aimed at dismantling gangs and curbing violent crime on the Cape Flats.

“The South African Police Service in the Western Cape reiterates its firm and unwavering stance against gangsterism and all forms of violent crime that threaten the safety and stability of communities on the Cape Flats,” Traut said.

The suspect, Rameez Jacobs (38), appeared in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Monday after being arrested during a recent Anti-Gang Unit operation. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder linked to the shooting outside the court precinct.

Traut said the accused has been remanded in custody and is expected to make his next court appearance on 5 January 2026.

“These focused operations form part of a broader strategy to curb serious and violent crime and to reinforce visible policing in identified hotspot areas,” Traut said, adding that investigations remain ongoing and that further arrests and charges could not be ruled out.

Western Cape Acting Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Tertuis Simmers said in a statement released on Monday morning that the shooting represented a direct challenge to the authority of the State.

“These brazen attacks, particularly in and around a court precinct, demonstrate a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law,” Simmers said.

He welcomed the arrest linked to the incident and called on the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority to act swiftly to ensure successful prosecutions and lengthy sentences.

Simmers said the provincial government would continue to monitor investigations and court proceedings closely, while supporting sustained, intelligence-led operations targeting illegal firearms, which he described as the primary drivers of gang-related violence on the Cape Flats.

SAPS has again urged communities to work with police by providing information that may assist in the fight against gangsterism and violent crime.