Cop wounded in Nyanga shootout

THREE men, allegedly belonging to a protection fee gang, were gunned down in a shootout that left a police officer wounded on Wednesday night in Nyanga, Cape Town.

The incident took place on the corner of Zwelitsha Drive and Fourth Avenue, where it is alleged that the men were in the act of robbing a spaza shop when cops came through in a private bakkie. 

The alleged robbers then opened fire on the cops, who then retaliated, killing three men. However, one police officer was hit.

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said that the matter is under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

Van Wyk reported: “Kindly be advised that the case cited in your enquiry is investigated by IPID and their communication department is in a far better position to facilitate your questions further.”

Spokesperson for IPID Phaladi Shuping confirmed stating, “A shooting incident allegedly occurred at the corner of Zwelitsha Drive and Fourth Avenue in Nyanga, Cape Town, on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.

It is alleged that three suspects were shot and killed during a shootout involving police officers. It is alleged that the deceased were linked to a protection fee gang. The suspects allegedly shot at the police who then returned fire.

The incident was reported to IPID and it is under investigation.”

When Daily Voice asked if Shuping could confirm whether an officer was shot and injured, he responded by saying, “Apparently one officer was injured.”

Local ward councillor Lionel Martin claims that extortion is rife in his area and are targeting spaza shops.

Martin explained: “They were robbing a spaza shop then police came through with a private white bakkie and then they started shooting at the police who then shot back.

"The thugs are targeting spaza shops in the area and first opened fire on police so police had no choice but to shoot them back, police were just doing their job.

“These criminals are protection fee gangs who collect money from all the spaza shops. It is not only an issue in Nyanga, but everywhere.

"These protection fee gangs are everywhere, doing these collections.”