THE body of a homeless woman was found burned beyond recognition when cops attended to a shooting incident in Saxdowne Road, Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Mfuleni police responded to a complaint by a man after he collapsed in front of a winkel having been shot in the gesig.
The man directed police to an open field where the body of man was found with gunshot wound and the burned body of a female.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said that Mfuleni police are investigating two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Swartbooi reported: “Mfuleni police are following up clues in a bid to apprehend the suspects responsible for the death of a man and a woman and the attempt to kill another man on Wednesday 27 August 2025 .
"Upon arrival at the crime scene in Saxdowne Road opposite Summerville at about 9.45pm, they met an adult man who indicated that he sustained a gunshot wound to his face.
"He then pointed the SAPS members to an open field where they found the body of a man who sustained a gunshot wound and a female who was burned beyond recognition.
"Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The man who sustained a gunshot to his face was transferred to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
"The motive for this attack is believed to be gang related. The unknown suspects fled and they are yet to be arrested.”
The woman was later identified as 26-year-old Alicia Graaf by her sister.
Mercia from Happy Valley told Daily Voice said that Alicia lived in the bush with her boyfriend and the family last saw her earlier on Wednesday before learning of her tragic passing.
Mercia explained: “I do not know the other two men who were shot. My sister and her boyfriend lived in the bush but we have never been there before, Wednesday night was our first time going there.
"My sister was on drugs but we do not know where her boyfriend is, when we got to the scene her boyfriend was not there. Alicia did not have any children, she had a baby but her baby passed away a long time ago.”
Police are appealing to anyone who can shed light on the circumstances surrounding this incident to please call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.