Brother to appear in court for the murder of sisters in Mitchell’s Plain
Sisters Zainab Jacobs and Gouwah Smith Newman were gunned down by their brother yesterday.
Image: Supplied.
The man accused of shooting his two sisters in broad daylight while they were fetching his children from school is expected to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The victims, identified as Gouwa Smith-Newman and Zainab Jacobs, were gunned down on Thursday afternoon while waiting outside Portlands Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain. The shocking incident also left a 12-year-old boy injured.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the women, aged 26 and 30, were approached by a relative who opened fire on them at around 3pm on Wespoort Drive.
“Medical personnel declared the younger victim dead at the scene, while the older woman died shortly after arriving at a nearby medical facility,” Twigg said.
The child, a Grade 6 learner, was caught in the crossfire and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Police confirmed that the suspect, a 32-year-old man was arrested shortly after the shooting. He faces two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
A source told the Weekend Argus that the attack may have been driven by domestic tensions over visitation rights to the children.
He further added that the brother, who was on foot, first shot Jacobs while she was crossing the pedestrian crossing, then ran towards Smith Newman who was sitting in the car and shot her, before fleeing the scene with the children.
An eyewitness described the terrifying moments leading up to the murders.
“I was fetching my grandchild at school. Then I heard a shot, which I initially thought was a firecracker, but then the second and third shot went off and I could see how children were scrambling for safety,” the witness said.
The two women were shot in Wespoort Drive
Image: Supplied
“When I looked up, I saw a scholar patrol girl standing frozen, like she didn’t know what to do. I grabbed her and pushed her inside the school premises….it was chaos!
“While looking around, I saw a lady lying halfway over the pedestrian crossing. Further down the road, people started gathering around a white Range Rover.”
The eyewitness said the incident left him shaken.
“I understand two women were shot, but those children who witnessed everything they were standing on scholar patrol duties, they will be scarred for life.
“More focus needs to be put on them now. I was also so upset when adults were allowing their children to peek into the car where a deceased person was lying. They really need to stop this.”
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that the shooting occurred just outside the school grounds.
“This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved,” said WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond.
“The WCED has been on the scene to provide support, with counselling arranged for all learners.”
The department further confirmed that reports indicate that two members of a foster family were targeted by the alleged biological parent of another learner.
The WCED said trauma counsellors have been dispatched to the school to assist affected pupils and staff.
Meanwhile, detectives are continuing their investigation into the double murder and attempted murder.
Weekend Argus approached the family for comment, but they requested privacy and respect during this traumatic and heartbreaking time.