On 3 September 2025, a dramatic confrontation unfolded on Keerom Street in Cape Town when a naked man, believed to be homeless, disarmed a police officer during an arrest attempt and fired multiple shots, prompting bystanders to flee in panic. The disturbing moment, captured in viral video footage, highlights pressing challenges around public safety, firearm security, and urban vagrancy in South Africa’s Western Cape.
A Chaotic Confrontation in Cape Town’s CBD
Police responded around 1:00 PM on 3 September 2025 to reports of a naked man loitering on Keerom Street near the Western Cape High Court. According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, the man refused orders to cover himself or comply. When officers attempted to restrain him, he lunged at one officer and wrestled his service pistol from the holster, firing at least three shots—two into the pavement and one into the air—causing widespread panic among passing pedestrians. Bystanders were heard shouting, “hy gaan iemand skiet” (“he’s going to shoot someone”) as the chaos unfolded.
Three officers swiftly intervened, disarmed and subdued the suspect amid the crowded CBD, recovering the firearm safely. Thankfully, no one was injured. The man was arrested and charged with robbery of a firearm, discharging a firearm in public, and public indecency. He is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court shortly. The surreal nature of the incident has prompted urgent discussions around police response protocols in urban areas.
Public Safety and Police Training Under Scrutiny
The incident has sparked criticism around police readiness and firearm safety. Democratic Alliance MP Nicolas Gotsell slammed the initial handling, calling it “a bad metaphor for the state SAPS is in due to poor management.”
Similar past incidents—like disarmament during confrontations with impaired individuals—suggest ongoing vulnerabilities in training and response strategies. Experts are calling for enhanced protocols in firearm handling and structured training for managing unpredictable public encounters.
Addressing Urban Vagrancy and Crime
Beyond policing, this incident reflects systemic social challenges in the heart of Cape Town: homelessness, substance abuse, and public disorder. Community leaders—including the Cape Flats Safety Forum—stress the need for sustainable solutions addressing root causes, alongside stronger visible policing in hotspots like Keerom Street.
In recent months, the Western Cape has seen robust enforcement efforts; between April and August 2025, authorities arrested over 55,000 suspects and seized hundreds of illegal weapons. While these figures show progress, the Keerom incident underscores the need for targeted interventions that prevent escalation from minor disturbances to dangerous confrontations.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Public Safety
This incident underlines critical areas for reform: getting firearm security protocols right, adapting training to volatile urban scenarios, and addressing the underlying social issues that drive public safety risks. Encouraging community engagement—through neighborhood patrols and sociable interventions—may offer proactive protection. As the suspect makes his way through the justice system, Cape Town faces a vital question: How do we safeguard against such chaos unfolding again?