Bishop Lavis mass shooting suspects linked to gangs
Image: Supplied
Two men accused of carrying out a mass shooting that left four people dead, including an 80-year-old woman, have been linked to gangs.
Police also said the household where the murders were committed had been targeted before.
The two suspects made their first appearance in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Lucian Pangaker and Lytan Adams, both 23 years old, were arrested on Monday, three days after the deadly attack on a home in Reenberg Street, Bishop Lavis.
They face four counts of murder after allegedly storming the residence around 7:15pm on Friday, July 11, and opening fire on its occupants.
The victims, two women and two men aged between 27 and 80, were declared dead at the scene.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
According to police, the suspects wore balaclavas during the attack and fled the scene in a VW Polo.
The court heard that Pangaker has yet to appoint a private attorney, prompting the magistrate to postpone the matter to Friday.
Lytan Adams and his co-accused appeared in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. He faces four counts of murder.
Image: Supplied
Deputy Police Commissioner Major-General Bongani Maqashalala confirmed the suspects were linked to gangs, but declined to provide further details about the nature of the link, citing witness safety and ongoing investigations.
'Two male persons entered the house and they shot four people. One of them was an 80-year-old lady,' said Maqashalala.
'We managed to get the two accused who appeared before the court today. We are certain they are linked. Both are members of gangs.'
He added that the same household had been targeted before.
'On July 3, two men with balaclavas went to the same house looking for a young man who lives there. That boy had participated in gang activity, although he is not known as a gangster.'
Asked to comment on the Bishop Lavis CPF's call for a judicial inquiry into gangsterism and the reinstatement of the former station commander, Maqashalala said SAPS was open to cooperating with community structures.
'As SAPS, we are prepared to listen to the CPF. We don't know the nature of the inquiry they are calling for, but we are willing to cooperate with any legal entity to understand their concerns,' he said.
Maqashalala also said redeployments were standard and assured residents that capable personnel were in place.
Maqashalala confirmed that Bishop Lavis is one of 11 gang hotspots currently prioritised for policing deployments.
'We have 200 officers deployed in collaboration with the City of Cape Town and another 200 from SAPS to focus on these 11 gang stations. However, this incident took place inside a private home – a setting we cannot always secure,' he added.
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais, welcomed the arrests and praised the Anti-Gang Unit for its swift action.
'This sends out a clear message to those who think they can carry out these heinous acts with impunity – the law will catch up with you, and you will be held accountable.'
Anyone with information on the incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 0860010111, or SMS Crime Line on 32211.
Cape Times
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Trial of Lusikisiki massacre accused begins today
Three men, arrested in connection with the Lusikisiki mass murders. Image: NPA The long-awaited trial of six men accused of one of South Africa's deadliest mass killings begins on Monday, at the Lusikisiki Magistrate's Court. The case will be heard under a special sitting of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court. The trial follows the shocking massacre on September 28, 2024, when 18 people were shot and killed at two neighbouring homes in Ngobozana Village, near Lusikisiki. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The accused, Mzukisi Ndamase, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, Aphiwe 'AP' Ndende, Bonga Hintsa, Mawethu Nomdlembu, and Songezo Vuma, face serious charges, including 18 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, and robbery. The National Prosecuting Authority says the trial is expected to run for 3 weeks until September 19 2025. All six men remain in custody. One of them, Ndamase, who is already serving a life sentence, is believed to have planned the attack from prison and will represent himself in court. IOL News
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Limpopo man purchased R1. 3 million Ford Ranger Raptor with fake payslips, and vanished
Police said in April 2023, the accused man applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million, and his application was approved. Image: File The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, has arrested a 27-year-old Limpopo man for fraud after he allegedly acquired a top-of-the-range Ford Raptor fraudulently. The 27-year-old man who cannot be identified until he appears in court was nabbed by the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit and the Sekhukhune tracing team at Groblersdal in Limpopo. 'It is alleged that during April 2023, the accused applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million. 'The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and the employer's payslip as requested,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. 'The application was processed and approved.' The dealership then contacted the 27-year-old man and notified him that his application had been successful. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'He went to the dealership in Polokwane to collect the car, accompanied by two men who are also suspects,' said Mmuroa. As days went by, the 27-year-old man failed to make the monthly installments for the vehicle. The bank tried to contact him without success. 'WesBank conducted a forensic audit and noticed that the accused used fraudulent documents during his application. The matter was reported to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation in Polokwane for assistance,' said Mmuroa. Investigations were conducted by the Hawks, which led to the arrest of the first accused person in the matter in January 2024. 'Further investigations revealed that the arrested suspect, aged 27, assisted the accused to defraud and collect the vehicle from the dealership,' said Mmuroa. 'The suspect is expected to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Polokwane, on 28 July 2025.' Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has welcomed the arrest of the suspect. A Limpopo woman, Thandaza Lubisi was arrested for allegedly using fake documents to get her Hyundai Atos financed by a car dealership in Tzaneen. Image: File In 2023, IOL reported that a Limpopo woman, aged 22, was sentenced to pay R10 000 or spend two years in jail after she used fraudulent documents to buy a Hyundai Atos. At the time, Hawks in Limpopo, Lieutenant-Colonel Matimba Maluleke said the Hyundai Atos valued at over R340 000 was financed by Wesbank in 2022. 'Miranda Thandaza Lubisi was sentenced for fraud by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 12 May, 2023,' Matimba said. 'On 16 September, 2022, the accused visited a vehicle dealership in Tzaneen and showed interest in a Hyundai Atos valued at R346 122. The accused was assisted by the salesperson at the dealership to apply for vehicle finance that was later approved by Wesbank.' Maluleke said the vehicle was delivered to Lubisi. 'After a few months, the bank was audited and it was discovered that the accused used fraudulent documents to apply for vehicle finance. The case of fraud was opened at Tzaneen police station and transferred to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit for further handling,' he said. A thorough investigation was conducted, and consequently, the accused was arrested and charged with fraud. After a few court appearances, she was granted bail until she was convicted and sentenced to pay R10 000 or two years' imprisonment,' Maluleke said. 'She was further sentenced to five years imprisonment which is suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit similar offences during the suspension period.' IOL News
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
'She was dumped like a dog': Lolitha's father reveals heartbreaking details of his daughter's murder
The Sikade family comforts Zukisani Sikade, father of Lolitha Kowa, during the first court appearance of the two people accused of killing his daughter. Image: Siyavuya Khaya The father of 7-year-old Lolitha Kowa, Zukisani Sikade, struggled to contain his emotions during the first court appearance of the two accused of the murder of his daughter. Nokuthula Matyeseni, 33, and her boyfriend, Odwa Jack, 32, appeared briefly in the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges of rape and murder. Disturbing details emerged during the proceedings, including that Lolitha's body was discovered with socks stuffed in her mouth and a screwdriver embedded in her skull. A post-mortem report revealed the presence of sperm on the child's body, as well as injuries beneath her fingernails. Community leaders and various stakeholders gathered at Khayelitsha court to support the family of Lolitha and see the people accused behind the senseless murder. Image: Siyavuya Khaya Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Investigators told the court that blood traces were found in a vehicle linked to Jack. It was further revealed that Jack has a previous conviction for car theft, having received a suspended five-year sentence. Matyeseni was previously arrested for assault in 2011, although that case was later withdrawn. A heartbroken Sikade said he is still grappling with the reality of his daughter's death. 'I was called to identify her body - my only child,' he said. 'I can't understand what kind of person would do this to her. At night, I relive the pain. I still get flashbacks of how her precious body was dumped. Sometimes it feels unreal, like I will see her walk through the door again.' The two accused, Odwa Jack and Nokuthula Matyeseni, in the dock. The two face charges of rape and murder. Image: Siyavuya Khaya Sikade expressed his shock upon learning that Matyeseni was someone familiar to the family. 'She was even helping us look for my daughter when she was missing. It never crossed my mind that she could be involved,' he said. 'I also want to make it clear that there was no fight between Nokuthula and the child's mother, despite what some people are saying.' He described the trauma endured by the entire family, particularly the child's grandmother, who helped raise Lolitha, as excruciating. 'She was dumped like a dog,' he said quietly. 'And the fact that she was raped, I don't even want to register that in my mind.' Despite the grief, Sikade said he is grateful that his daughter's body was found — a fate many other parents of missing children are denied. 'I appreciate the support from the community. It helps ease the pain a little. I'm also relieved that those responsible are behind bars and will face justice." Lolitha will be laid to rest in the Eastern Cape this week. Speaking on the broader context of child murders in South Africa, Ian Cameron, chairperson of the portfolio committee on police, said Lolitha's murder is part of a disturbing national trend. 'Three children are murdered every day in South Africa. Around 25 are killed weekly, and 100 every month. "We are facing a pandemic of child murders. It's almost become normalised, which is a moral and societal crisis," he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
