Fani John Sibeko, arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Katlehong North on 13 October 2026, is at the centre of an investigation by the Afrika Mayibuye Movement amid unclear political affiliations. The shooting occurred on Sophangisa Street shortly after a memorial service at Mogobeng Primary School, leaving four people dead and five injured.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that two victims died at the scene, with a further two succumbing to injuries in hospital. Sibeko surrendered to police shortly after the incident and appeared briefly in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on 15 October facing charges including murder, attempted murder, discharging a firearm in a public space, and failure to secure a firearm.
“A suspect is in police custody following a shooting incident that occurred in Sophangisa Street, Katlehong North, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at about 18:50,” SAPS said in a statement. The case has been assigned to the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team for further investigation.
The incident has sparked political debate after claims emerged linking Sibeko to various political groups. Afrika Mayibuye stated its Ekurhuleni leadership would investigate whether Sibeko held membership and would terminate it if confirmed. The movement firmly denied he was one of its councillor candidates for the October 2026 local government elections.
Contradictory reports have suggested Sibeko was a former EFF councillor in Ekurhuleni from 2016 to 2021, though these affiliations remain unverified and have not been confirmed by party records or official statements.
Simphiwe Patose, regional chairperson of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in Ekurhuleni, remarked on the emerging links: “We are now asking ourselves if these two are linked now because what brought that person to come to where the memorial service was and started killing people there.” The victims are described by some sources as ANC Youth League members, though these claims have not been definitively verified.
This shooting has heightened tensions in Katlehong, with authorities cautiously investigating the possibility of political motives amid a sensitive environment. SAPS continues to gather evidence, and Sibeko’s case is set for a possible formal bail application hearing on 22 October 2026.
While Sibeko awaits further legal proceedings, investigations into the incident’s origins, political connections, and the full circumstances of the attack remain ongoing. Cape Flats journalists will continue monitoring court developments and community responses as new information becomes available.