Cape Town - The award-winning actor who starred in Noem My Skollie was gunned down in Gugulethu earlier this week.
David Manuel died on Tuesday night along with another person in NY 141.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said they are investigating the motive for the attack.
He said when officers arrived at the scene, one of the victims had already died while the other died at the hospital.
“Gugulethu police registered two counts of murder following a shooting incident on Tuesday, 8 October 2024 at about 10:18pm in NY 141 Gugulethu, in which two adult males were shot and fatally wounded.
“Police members responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival on the scene they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies,” Twigg said.
“One victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the other victim was taken to a medical facility for medical treatment where he later died.
“The motive for the attack is yet to be determined. The unknown suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”
Gugulethu Community police forum (CPF) spokesperson Linda Kabeni said they were extremely saddened by the loss of the actor.
“We extremely condemn the brutal killing of David Manuel who was affectionately known as Gums. His passing has left many aspiring actors in disbelief, especially those who hail from the townships.
“It is disheartening that townships are only known for these kind of things: murders. Gums made a name for himself, pulled himself from the life of crime and chose a straight and narrow path and he was taken away from us by a gun.
“We would like to express our condolences not only to his family but also to the other person who was with him at the time of the shooting.
“We urge law enforcement agencies to investigate this senseless killing and leave no stone unturned.”
Manuel burst into the entertainment scene in 2016 when he played a 28s prison gang leader Freddy Gums.
According to the Daily Voice, he was allegedly assaulted by full-fledged gang members of the 28s, who did not appreciate Manuel’s portrayal of their members in scenes involving sexual relationships with men.
The Gugulethu actor was also known for playing in Number 37 (2018), and danZ! (2017).
He won the Best Supporting Actor Award for his role as "Freddy Gums" and Noem My Skollie/Call Me Thief won Best Film Award at The African Film Festival - TAFF U.S.A. in July 2017.
Anyone with any information about this shooting incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za