JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's Western Cape education ministry says it has closed 16 schools near Cape Town for two days because of a spike in gang violence. One man was shot dead in broad daylight.

Aysha Ismail said Thursday her son was shot in an area in Manenberg where children play every day. Fellow members said he was a part of the gang called the Americans.

Ministry spokeswoman Bronagh Casey said the decision to close the schools was made after teachers said they fear for their safety. She said a caretaker at one of the schools died after being shot weeks ago, and a stray bullet from gang violence hit a primary school around that time as well.

Ismail says greater police presence is needed to curb violence in Manenberg.

BET Global News - Your source for Black news from around the world, including international politics, health and human rights, the latest celebrity news and more. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Greg Marinovich/Getty Images for Unilever)