A COLD drink delivery driver is fighting for his life after being shot in the head during an alleged extortion attack in Browns Farm, Philippi, on Thursday, 4 June.
The 44-year-old man was delivering stock to a spaza shop in Nzinziniba Street when armed suspects allegedly confronted him and demanded money.
Witnesses said panic swept through the area as gunshots rang out, sending residents and customers scrambling for safety.
A resident who was near the shop when the shooting occurred said the incident unfolded in seconds.
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"People were screaming and running away from the spaza shop. I immediately ran into my house and locked the door because I was terrified," she said.
Western Cape police spokeswoman Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that officers responded to reports of a shooting at about 2.55 pm.
"When police arrived at the scene, they found a 44-year-old male lying in front of a shop with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment," said Gwala.
According to police, the victim was delivering cold drinks when two suspects approached and allegedly demanded R2,000 in cash.
"The shop owner reportedly closed the shop, leaving the victim and his co-workers outside. As they attempted to flee, the suspects opened fire, striking the victim," Gwala said.
An attempted murder case has been opened, and no arrests have been made.
The shooting has once again highlighted the growing threat of extortion facing township businesses across Cape Town.
A Philippi shop owner said traders are living under constant fear as criminal groups continue to demand protection money.
"Different people come to our shops almost every day asking for money. If you refuse, they threaten to kill you or destroy your business," he said.
The 31-year-old Somali businessman said some traders have already given in to extortion demands, but the harassment continues.
"We pay one group, but then another group arrives demanding money. The people we paid are nowhere to be found when new criminals show up," he said.
He described running a business in the township as increasingly difficult.
"If I pay every group that demands money, there will be nothing left. They want so much that it wipes out all our profit," he said.
Residents are now calling for stronger police action, saying extortion gangs are operating openly while business owners, workers and customers are left fearing for their lives.
