KILLED IN A DRIVE-BY - Man previously charged with murder in Clare Swartz case was gunned down in gang fight

A MAN previously charged with the murder of Clare Swartz was killed during a gang fight on Monday afternoon in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain.

Diego Blaauw, 22, was arrested and charged in August for Swartz’s murder but was freed a month later due to a lack of evidence and was no longer part of the case.

Mother of one Swartz was found stabbed, half naked and dumped at the Wolfgat Nature Reserve on 21 August 2025. She was stabbed multiple times in the neck while her boyfriend, who was also knifed, managed to get away and flee for his life.

A total of six suspects had been arrested and charged, with four being released, one of which was Blaauw.

On Monday afternoon, gang violence erupted in Freedom Park, Tafelsig with a fight between the Skumbizos, Hard Livings and Hustlers.

The fight started with stone-throwing and later escalated into shooting.

Video footage shows the groupings in the street throwing stones at each other before shots can be heard going off.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that the motive for the shooting is unclear however a case of murder is under investigation.

Gwala reported: “Mitchells Plain police registered a case of murder, following the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old male in Tafelberg Street, Tafelsig at around 2.50pm, 5 January 2026. According to reports, a motor vehicle drove by and shot at the direction of the deceased. He ran and collapsed in Westham Street, Tafelsig. 

“The deceased sustained gunshot wounds on his chest. He was declared dead by medical personnel on the scene. The motive for the shooting is unclear at this point, and no suspect has been arrested yet.”

A community worker who cannot be named for safety reasons said the area was filled with violence following the shooting between rival gangs: 

She said: “They first started shooting, then they began stoning one another (rival gangs).

“One of the neighbours chased him [Diego] home, but he was shot soon after that.”

Lynn Philipps of the Cape Flats Safety Forum said the case has been compromised due to the release of suspects and now a murder: "We hope that this case will be dealt with with the full might of the law and that all those involved are brought to book as soon as possible so that the family of the late Clare can have closure. 

“We also need to indicate when this murder took place; she had a minor child who has become an orphan.”