Slain DA ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe's affidavit to police reveals chilling details of extortion threats

Another Cape Town resident, Christopher Carelse, was killed in a violent attack on 17 June 2026, adding to a growing list of murders seemingly tied to the region’s involvement in the global cocaine trade. According to reports, Carelse was shot multiple times by two unidentified men who arrived in a gold-colored vehicle. The incident took place in the Kensington area of Cape Town, where Carelse had been standing near a building when the vehicle pulled up. After the initial approach, the suspects returned to the location, exiting the car and opening fire on Carelse, who fled inside the premises but was ultimately shot dead. Medical personnel on the scene pronounced him deceased immediately following the attack.

Carelse had been a central figure in a major drug-related case involving an R18-million cocaine consignment discovered earlier in 2025. Police uncovered the drugs in a storage facility located on Roeland Street in the heart of Cape Town. Alongside the narcotics, officers also recovered a range of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, an Uzi submachine gun, five 9mm pistols, and a variety of ammunition. These findings indicated a significant link between the drug trafficking operation and organized crime groups operating within the country. At the time of the discovery, one of the individuals arrested in connection with the case was Raed Cupido, who was working in the banking sector and remains in custody today.

Carelse had initially been charged alongside Cupido in relation to the cocaine seizure. However, he was later released from custody following a legal appeal, though the outcome of that appeal was unsuccessful. His subsequent role as a potential state witness in the case appears to have placed him in a precarious position, especially given the nature of the crimes he was implicated in. The police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, confirmed the shooting to media outlets, stating that the motive behind the killing was still under investigation.

The high court judgment from late 2025 sheds light on the broader implications of Carelse’s involvement in the drug trade. In the ruling, an unnamed investigating officer noted that the cocaine found in the storage facility was undiluted, suggesting its origin from international drug cartels. This purity level is unusual, as most cocaine is diluted before reaching consumers. The officer concluded that Carelse and Cupido were likely the first recipients of the drugs upon their smuggling into South Africa, indicating their direct involvement in the supply chain.

This latest killing comes amid a series of related incidents that have raised concerns about the safety of individuals involved in drug-related investigations. Earlier in 2024, members of the Terrible Josters gang, Peter Jaggers and William Petersen, were kidnapped in Gauteng and later found dead in a river in the Free State. Their deaths were attributed to a missing cocaine shipment intended for the Western Cape. Similarly, an unidentified man was killed off the Still Bay coast in July 2024 while attempting to retrieve a large cocaine consignment from a boat. These events highlight the dangers associated with the illicit drug trade and the potential risks posed to those caught in its web.

In addition to these cases, the murder of DA ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe in early 2026 has drawn attention to the presence of extortion and intimidation tactics used by criminal elements. Dyokwe, who had filed an affidavit detailing her fears of being targeted by a so-called "Gupta" protection group, was shot ten times in Mnandi Street. Her account described repeated encounters with armed men demanding protection fees, with one instance involving seven individuals confronting her in the street. Despite efforts by local authorities to investigate the matter, the case remains unresolved, with no arrests having been made thus far.

The ongoing investigations into these cases underscore the complex interplay between organized crime, political dynamics, and public safety in South Africa. As law enforcement continues to probe the motives behind these killings, the broader implications for regional security and the fight against drug trafficking remain uncertain. With each new development, the stakes grow higher for those involved in uncovering the truth behind these tragic events.