Body found in Athlone canal

THE body of a 25-year-old man was discovered on Thursday morning floating face down in the dirty canal among the debris in Canal Road, Athlone.

Shooting was reported in the area and at around 8.20am, a community member made the shocking discovery of the body lying in the canal in what is believed to be a gang-related incident.

An image of the horrific incident made the rounds on crime and community groups showing the man dressed in a red top lying face down in the dirty water.

SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services were called to the scene, where cops found that the deceased sustained a gunshot wound to his head.

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that the circumstances surrounding this incident is under investigation with no arrests made as yet.

Van Wyk reported: “Athlone police registered a murder case following the discovery of the body of a 25 year old man by a community member in Canal Road in Vygieskraal earlier today, Thursday, 2025-10-02 at 08:20.  

"According to reports SAPS members attended to the complaint at the mentioned address and on arrival they were pointed to the body of a male in the canal next to the road. The members requested the assistance of the SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services who recovered the body

"On further investigation it was discovered that the victim was shot in the head.

"Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation. The motive is believed to be gang-related, no one has been arrested yet.”

In a separate incident, police are investigating a murder case where a man also sustained two gunshot wounds to the head in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay on Wednesday.

Van Wyk said confirmed that Hout Bay police are investigating a murder case following a shooting incident at about 5pm in OR Tambo Road opposite the graveyard in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay.  

Van Wyk added: "SAPS members received a complaint of shooting at the mentioned address and on arrival they found the body of an unidentified male laying in the road with two gun wounds to the head.

"Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation. Motive for the shooting is the subject of our police investigation, no one has been arrested yet.

"Anyone with information about this incident is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Dunna on 021 791 8660 alternatively Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously."