Tragedy Strikes Jeffreys Bay: Councillor's Sons Wounded in Shooting Weeks After His Own Attack

In the usually serene seaside town of Jeffreys Bay, violence has struck the family of local councillor Jaques Alexander once again. In a shocking predawn attack that has rattled the community, the two sons of councillor Alexander were gunned down while they mingled outside a local tavern in Pellsrus. On Thursday, law enforcement officials confirmed the incident, which has raised grave concerns about the safety of public figures and their families in the area.

Intense emotions have surrounded the Alexander family since councillor Alexander's narrow escape from death only two weeks prior. The Democratic Alliance (DA) politician is still reeling from an episode of violence that could have ended tragically. Seven bullets were fired at him outside the municipality's offices, sparking widespread outrage and raising questions about the motive.

Colonel Priscilla Naidu, the police spokesperson, detailed the harrowing incident involving Alexander's sons. Occurring at approximately 00:45 on Sunday morning, the young men, aged 19 and 24, stood outside the tavern when an assailant, whose identity remains a mystery, opened fire. Both brothers were critically wounded, sustaining gunshot injuries to their abdomens. They were quickly transported to a nearby medical facility to receive urgent care.

As the community grapples with the second shooting impacting the Alexander family in such a short space of time, the legal case concerning Jaques Alexander's own brush with death continues to unfold. The four suspects implicated in his attempted murder recently appeared in court, choosing to abandon their bail applications.

At the Humansdorp Magistrates Court, an indomitable Alexander faced the men accused of trying to end his life. Remarkably, he attended the court session directly after his hospital discharge, carrying the physical marks of the attack — with four bullets still lodged in his body. The session, filled with tension, saw Mthumzi Lani, Lutho Mbatha, Luciano Jacobs, and Athenkosi Gidane face charges of attempted murder as well as hijacking a motor vehicle.

With the community still in shock, the investigation into the shooting of Alexander's sons is underway, and further details await as the authorities work diligently to understand the motive and search for the perpetrator of this crime. The accused assailants are due back in court on April 19th, where they will face the consequences of their actions.

The incidents have cast a somber mood over Jeffreys Bay, a town known for its scenic beauty and surfing hotspots rather than violent crime. Residents and local officials are calling for increased security and swift justice to deter such attacks from recurring, highlighting the need for more robust measures to protect community leaders and their families.