TENSION continue to flare up amid an ongoing gang war in Lavender Hill as a 19-year-old young man died in a hail of bullets in front of his house on Saturday evening.
The incident took place in Aspeling Court around 6.15pm when the victim was reportedly on his way home.
According to an eyewitness, who wants to protect his identity, the victim was apparently shot numerous times.
The witness told the Daily Voice: “The victim was on his way home and they shot him right in front of his house. Two guys came on foot around the corner wearing masks and shot him repeatedly.
"It sounded like over 30 gunshots were fired. it was bad.
"After they were done shooting, the shooters jumped into a black Suzuki Swift vehicle with tinted windows and fled the scene. The victim was lying in the rain till around 4am in the morning.
He added: "Here is a drug and turf war happening in our area. We don’t often have shootings in the area, so people probably saw the car and thought it was just another e-hailing car coming to pick up someone, but they were actually transporting the shooters."
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed Steenberg detectives are investigating a murder case.
Twigg reported: “The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Saturday evening, 25 October 2025, at about 6.15pm, in Aspeling Court, Lavender Hill, where a 19-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded are under investigation.
"Police members attended to the crime scene where they found the victim with gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is believed to be gang related. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”
Public Relations Officer for the Steenberg Community Police Forum, Nicola Small said: "It is heartbreaking to see families and young lives torn apart by ongoing gang conflict.
"At some point, the community needs to take a collective stand. Speak up, cooperate with the authorities, and take back their neighbourhoods from those who perpetuate fear and violence.”
Police are appealing to anyone with any information about this shooting incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.