Girl, 12, shot in gang crossfire
A 12-YEAR-OLD Kensington girl is recovering at Groote Schuur Hospital after she was shot in the head by a stray bullet amid an ongoing gang war in the area.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut confirmed the incident: “This office can confirm that a 12-year-old girl was shot and wounded when she was caught in the crossfire after someone discharged a firearm in Glider Street, Kensington, yesterday at around noon. The circumstances are being investigated,” Traut said.
No arrests have yet been made.
Kensington Community Policing Forum spokesperson Cheslyn Steenberg said the forum condemned the shooting.
“It must be noted that the Kensington CPF has long called for more resources in Kensington/Factreton. Today we again witness the shooting of a innocent child; a child who also wanted to soak up the sun, but instead she got shot.
“Every day our residents fear for their lives, asking who will be next. As the Kensington CPF we are resolute in our fight for more resources in our community. It’s our democratic right to have a safe community,” Steenberg said.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is also investigating a police shooting incident that resulted in road closures at Main Road, Rosebank, between Woolsack Drive and Durban Road yesterday morning.
“It is alleged the police saw a car being driven recklessly, and they stopped it. A passenger allegedly got out and shot at the police, who retaliated and shot the suspect. The suspect was injured and taken to hospital. Ipid is conducting a preliminary investigation,” said Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini.
In two unrelated incidents, police arrested a 30-year-old suspect on Saturday in Bishop Lavis after he was found in possession of firearms, explosives and ammunition. Another suspect was also arrested on charges relating to illegal firearm possession.
“The intelligence-driven operation, executed by SAPS at the suspect’s residence, led to the seizure of two firearms, a 9mm and a 7.65mm, 600g of PE4 explosives, six detonators, one safety fuse, a variety of ammunition of different calibres, a bullet-proof vest as well as firearm maintenance equipment,” Traut said.
“The circumstances surrounding the seizure, which is regarded as a significant success, and the suspect’s involvement in violent crimes perpetrated in gang-affected areas, are under investigation,” Traut added.
Police spokesperson Jakobus Marthinus said a 24-yearold suspect was arrested in the Mitchells Plain cluster after police received a tip-off on Friday morning.
“Members of the Mitchells Plain Cluster Stabilisation Unit responded to information they received from the public pertaining to a suspect in possession of a firearm. On Friday at about 9am members spotted a male fitting the description they received, and approached and searched the suspect.
“They found a pistol, ammunition and magazine in his possession,” Marthinus said.
Both suspects will appear in court today.
‘Every day our residents fear for their lives, asking who will be next’