Barely Armed

A chaotic scene unfolded in the Cape Town CBD outside the Western Cape High Court yesterday, featuring a naked gunman who reportedly seized a firearm from a police officer and began firing indiscriminately in broad daylight.

Video footage from Keerom Street captures the surreal moment as the man stands naked on the pavement, discharging shots into the ground while police attempt to approach him cautiously.

People can be seen scrambling for cover or inching closer to witness the incident as officers respond to the situation.

The man appears to glance at the gun, survey his surroundings, and fire again, with the screams of bystanders echoing with each shot.

Onlookers can be heard exclaiming, “Hy gaan iemand skiet” and “He is going to shoot himself,” while police urgently shout: “Put down the gun.”

A separate recording from a balcony shows the man’s clothes scattered on the road as he paces with the weapon in hand.

Eventually, two courageous police officers can be seen moving closer to the suspect, successfully subduing him and taking him to the ground.

One officer manages to disarm the naked gunman before escorting him to the back of a police van.

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed the occurrence.

He stated: “Police members from Cape Town Central SAPS responded to a report of a naked man on the sidewalk on Keerom Street at approximately 13:00 on Wednesday, 3 September 2025.

“Upon arrival, they encountered a young man who refused to cooperate or cover himself. A struggle ensued during which the man seized a firearm from one officer and discharged shots; fortunately, no one was injured.

“Three officers overpowered the suspect and arrested him on charges related to the robbery of a firearm, discharging a firearm in a public area, and public indecency. He will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court once charged.”

Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament on the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Nicolas Gotsell, criticized the initial police response.

In a brief statement, he remarked: “This incident serves as a troubling metaphor for the current state of SAPS due to poor management.

“I have submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister regarding the details of what transpired; how it happened; and why?”