Update:
The relentless efforts of the investigating officer from the Anti-gang Unit have resulted in the apprehension of a 27-year-old male in Eastridge, Mitchells Plain.
The arrest follows the tragic incident on Tuesday, 30 January, where a 12-year-old girl lost her life due to crossfire between rival gangs at a school in Khayalami Street, Beacon Valley, Mitchell’s Plain.
Hit by a stray bullet, the girl was declared deceased on the scene.
The arrested suspect is set to face charges of murder and is scheduled to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 2 February.
Mitchells Plain police are investigating a murder case after a 12-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet at a school in Beacon Valley on Tuesday morning.
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According to reports, the Grade 7 learner at Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School was caught in a crossfire between rival gangs where a shoot-out was taking place a few metres away from the school premises just after 11am.
One of Ieglaasi Nieyah’s employees told Radio 786 that Beacon Valley had been declared a Red Zone yesterday due to gang shootings in the area.
She was allegedly waiting for her scholar transport within the school premises when the bullet hit her. The employee said she watched as the stray bullet struck the 12-year-old in the eye, which then went through her head.
The young victim was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
Following the incident, the primary school’s management released a letter confirming that it would remain closed until Monday and requested that a full parent and student meeting take place to shed light on the incident.
Management also confirmed that its learners, teachers and staff will receive counselling and requested that footage of the incident not be circulated.
‘We would like to ask that parents not circulate any pictures or videos of the incident that took place at our school. We ask that due respect is given to the deceased and their family,’ Ieglaasi Nieyah School management said.
The fatal shooting has sparked outrage within the community with residents of Beacon Valley calling on police to increase visibility at schools in the area to ensure the safety of learners. Angry community members have threatened to keep their kids out of school until more police visibility is seen surrounding schools.
Voice of the Cape Radio also reported that a protest is set to take place at 2pm on Metropolitan Street in Beacon Valley to highlight existing crime, especially gang-related, in the area.
‘We are prepared to fight and change the narrative of this community. Crime fighting is the core responsibility of the SAPS. It is their core mandate,’ Chairperson of the Cape Flats Safety Forum Abie Isaacs told News24.
‘The family and the community are devastated. As a community, we will have a walkabout and a prayer protest because this is about humanity. We firmly believe that there is no political will in the Western Cape to deal with crime,’ added Isaacs.
After being briefed by a senior SAPS officer, Western Cape MEC of police oversight and community safety Reagen Allen said the incident angered him deeply.
‘This is yet another young life that’s been unnecessarily taken from us. My sincere condolences go to the family, loved ones, fellow learners and staff at the school of the young girl. My prayer is that they will find comfort in their pain,’ said Allen.
Allen confirmed that SAPS Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) is attending to the incident and urged community members to assist with information.
‘These barbaric individuals must be caught. I call on our community to immediately come forward with information so that the perpetrators can be arrested. I urge SAPS, given that the shooting is alleged to be gang-related, to initiate the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) in this instance. It has to be established where the firearms and ammunition come from, as the suppliers should also be charged,’ added Allen.
The MEC also reminded residents that they can earn up to R5 000 when they report the whereabouts or suppliers of any illegal firearms to 021 466 0011.
Anyone with any information about this fatal shooting incident is urged to contact AGU investigation officer Sergeant Bradley Schuurman on 071 673 3841 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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Picture: Anastasiya Badun / Unsplash
