'He never bothered anyone': Clarke Estate man gunned down

A 35-YEAR-OLD man, believed to be innocent, was shot dead on Wednesday evening in Clarke Estate, Elsies River.

The man, who cannot be named at this time as his next of kin has not yet been notified, was gunned down in Napier Hof at around 10.10pm, in what a community leader called a “senseless murder”.

The community leader explained: “We are all in the dark when it comes to this shooting because he was not involved in anything gang-related. This is a senseless murder. 

“He used to do odd jobs in the community and you could trust him with your money and send him to the shop. 

“I think he was probably on his way home or to the nearby shop. This is a big loss because he was a outjie who bothered nobody, anyone could send him or he could do a los werkie. That was him. 

“We all knew him in the area.”

The community leader said that he is not sure if the man was hit by a stray bullet as the community is still plagued with gun violence, adding: “Clarke is deurmekaar. It is best to just be in your house because you are not safe on the road.”

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a murder case is under investigation.

Twigg reported: “Elsies River police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Wednesday night, 21 January 2026, at about 10.10pm in Melton Road, Clarke Estate. 

“Upon arrival on the scene they found a 35-year-old male who sustained gunshot wounds to his back. 

“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. According to reports, the victim was approached by occupants of a Silver VW Polo who opened fire on him before fleeing the scene. 

“The motive for the attack is believed to be gang-related. A murder case was registered for investigation.”

Anyone with any information about this shooting incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.