Notorious Cape Town Gang Boss "Gappie" Assassinated in Daylight Shooting

The streets of Parow Valley were disrupted by the echo of gunfire as Elton “Gappie” Ely, a prominent figure in Cape Town's underworld, met a violent end. Just after 3:50 pm on Monday, this feared gang boss, with links to the notorious 28s gang, was assassinated in cold blood after stepping out of his Mercedes-Benz.

Ely, who had been a former henchman of Ernie “Lastig” Solomons, was ambushed by three assailants and shot four times in the head near a supermarket on Joubert Street—an act that left residents shocked and the gang community on high alert.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the grim details of the event, stating that the suspects remain at large following the fatal shooting. As investigators comb through potential leads and settle on a motive, the specter of gang retribution looms large.

The incident has deep roots in the gang’s troubled history, touching on betrayal and underworld politics. Ely had become known as a drug dealer within Belhar and Bellville, and his rise within the 28s gang brought him infamy and enemies. His notoriety peaked during the landmark trial against Horatio Solomons—Ernie’s nephew—and other gang affiliates in 2019.

The trial revealed a tangled web of underworld plots, hits on rival gang members, and drug trafficking, with Ely at the center. He was outed by a bodyguard-turned-state-witness, who recounted Ely's role in orchestrating violence and fulfilling Ernie Solomons' commands. The courtroom drama heightened when accusations of Ely betraying his allies surfaced, suggesting he provided rivals and law enforcement with pivotal information leading to their downfall.

Despite the heavy charges and tense courtroom testimonies, Ely was acquitted of all charges, while Horatio Solomons received a life sentence. However, Ely's freedom did not assure his safety. Reports suggest that there had been previous attempts on his life, signaling deep dissatisfaction within the ranks of the gang.

The brutal public nature of Ely's killing points to an uncompromising message within Cape Town's gangland: betrayals are settled with lethal consequences. As police delve deeper into the investigation, questions about the broader implications for gang dynamics and public safety in the region arise.

The death of Ely signifies more than just another gangland killing—it's a stark reminder of the ongoing power struggles and retaliatory violence that continue to plague communities and challenge law enforcement in Cape Town.