Police have confirmed the identity of the woman fatally shot in Woodstock last night as 30-year-old Imaan Syms. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about gun violence in Cape Town, prompting urgent calls from authorities for witnesses to come forward.
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), reported that officers arrived on Sussex Street after receiving distress calls related to a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Syms on the ground, unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Eyewitnesses at the scene claimed that Syms had been shot several times, with some reporting that she had sustained as many as 17 bullet wounds. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the precise number of shots fired or wounds inflicted.
Police investigations suggest that an unidentified individual approached Syms, fired multiple rounds, and quickly fled the scene, although detailed descriptions of the suspect remain unavailable.
Twigg confirmed:
“Officers responded to reports of a shooting and discovered Syms lying on the ground in Sussex Street.”
Imaan Syms was the daughter of prominent minstrel personality Ziyaad Williams, who is widely recognised within the Minstrel Fraternity as the team owner of the D Six Hanover Minstrels. Williams’s prominence in the community has drawn further attention to the tragedy, leading to increased public demand for answers.
The motive behind the violent attack is currently unknown, with investigators actively examining possible reasons for the targeted nature of the assault. No arrests have yet been made, and authorities are calling on the public to assist with any relevant information.
The SAPS has issued a plea to the community, urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who might hold information relevant to the case to speak with the police promptly.
The incident has intensified existing anxieties about escalating firearm-related crime in the Western Cape, especially within the Cape Town metropolitan area. Community leaders and activists have long expressed concern over the growing threat of gun violence affecting neighbourhoods across the city.
A resident from Woodstock, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, expressed fear about ongoing gun violence in the area, saying:
“This isn’t something new for us, but it seems like nothing is ever done. Every shooting makes us feel more unsafe.”
The tragic death of Syms has reignited the conversation around crime prevention measures, with many in the community questioning what further steps authorities can take to address persistent violence.
Police spokesperson Twigg reiterated the need for cooperation from the community:
“Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
