Inside the crime epidemic of Phillipi: where criminality has become a way of life
Phillipi is at breaking point. Violent crime has become a way of life from hijackings and smash-and-grabs to mass murders that leave residents traumatised and fearful.
In August 2025, DA MPs Ian Cameron, Nicholas Gotsell, and Lisa Schickerling were attacked in a smash-and-grab while travelling through the area. Gotsell was hospitalised, Cameron sustained minor injuries, and teenagers were later arrested.
Brown’s Farm, one of Phillipi’s most volatile pockets, remains a danger zone for e-hailing drivers and online sellers who are routinely targeted.
In the early hours of October 12 2025, the body of off-duty Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer Yonke Pakade was discovered with multiple stab wounds in the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East, following a harrowing ordeal that began on Saturday evening in Browns Farm.
Then, on 18 October, Phillipi East became the scene of what witnesses described as a bloody massacre. Seven men were found shot dead and their bodies partially burned inside a rented shack in the Better Life informal settlement.
One victim was discovered in the front room, while six others lay in the bedroom their bodies surrounded by smoke-stained walls and the charred remnants of a fire their killers had tried to start. The killings sent shockwaves through the community and reinforced the suburb’s reputation as one of Cape Town’s most dangerous areas.
Community leader Dumisani Qwebe said there has been some progress in tackling smash-and-grab attacks, following the arrest of key suspects.
“We’re winning that battle against smash-and-grabs ever since the masterminds have been arrested, which gave us some relief,” he said.
“There’s been a decrease, but motorists must stay alert on New Eisleben Road between Govan Mbeki and Sheffield Road. Traffic congestion there gives these young boys an opportunity to strike.”
Despite this, Qwebe said Phillipi remains largely ungovernable because of deep-rooted social and structural failures.
“When there are no proper roads, no streetlights, and no clear access for police or ambulances, criminals thrive,” he explained.
“Most of our informal settlements are overcrowded, with no order or visibility. It’s easy for crime to hide there.”
He added that fear still grips residents after recent attacks on foreign-owned shops and taxi-related murders in Brown’s Farm.
“People are scared,” he said. “Peer pressure, school dropouts, substance abuse and a lack of role models are all driving crime. Young people compete over lifestyle and status if they can’t afford it, they turn to crime.”
Qwebe believes the fight against crime will only succeed if authorities address the social issues at its core.
“If we can’t deal with social challenges, we’ll never win this,” he said. “We need government departments, police, and residents to work together to improve street lighting, fix access roads, and create a proper community safety forum. Only then can we rebuild trust and stop this violence.”
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said Philippi has become infested with career criminals.
“Even children grow up with criminality as their main means to survive. Years of poor conviction rates by courts, extremely premature parole, even unjustified bail, allows criminals to just continue as per usual when they return.”
Forensic investigator and crime expert Chad Thomas said several factors have contributed to the current level of lawlessness and instability in Philippi.
“There are a number of factors that are contributing towards this. The most obvious is gang warfare over turf. There could also be an element of vigilantism where groups of individuals could be sowing disinformation on the ground to create a situation that causes these gang wars.
“On a more general basis, we find that criminals have become more emboldened as a result to little to no consequences for their actions. In terms of murder, we are only seeing 10% of cases being successfully prosecuted that in effect means that the odds are in favour of the murderers with nine out of every ten murderers walking free.”
He said the situation is reaching a point where criminals have more control of certain areas than the State itself.
“It’s reaching the point where criminals have more control of areas than the State. We call these ‘no go areas’, much as the same as certain favelas in Brazil or barrios in Colombia.”
Thomas said sustained violence and the absence of visible law enforcement have a devastating impact on communities.
“It is devastating and extremely destructive for communities who have to live in constant fear for their lives and the lives of loved ones. It also adds to poverty as services may be suspended in these areas due to dangers posed to council workers. When gangs take over, murder, rape, assault become the norm with the added increase in theft and robbery by drug addicts to pay for their next fix.”
He believes restoring order will require both short- and long-term interventions.
“Decentralisation of national policing and granting of investigation powers to local law enforcement authorities. Also the use of security companies as force multipliers in saturation operations. Increased crime intelligence operations to disrupt and dismantle organised crime syndicates.”
Thomas added that government at all levels has a crucial role to play. “Joint task teams and more power to local authorities.”
JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security confirmed the City is aware that Philippi is a hotspot for crime.
Smith explained the situation has significantly worsened the last few years due to increased land invasions.“This leads to informal areas that are incredibly difficult to police but also for the City’s emergency services to gain access to, to assist those in need.
“Urgent reform is needed in National Legislation to curb the on-going theft of private and public land. The severe impact that crime has on surrounding communities is clear to see.
“The City has deployed additional LEAP officers in the area and our enforcement agencies (Law Enforcement, Metro Police and Traffic Services) will continue to support the South African Police Service in the fight against crime.”
Residents can report suspicious behaviour and/or criminal activities by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.
Phillipi’s maze of informal settlements, poor infrastructure, and overstretched policing continues to provide cover for criminals. As hijackings, shootings, and mass killings persist, many residents say the community has been left to fend for itself and the State’s control is hanging by a thread.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za