The Police in Mankweng have opened a case of murder after a twelve (12) year old boy shot and killed his three (03) year old brother at Makgeng village, gaMolepo in the Mankweng district east of Polokwane. The incident took place on Saturday 26 October 2019 at about 08h30.
The firearm belongs to their 53-year-old father who allegedly left it in the bag in one of the rooms. The suspect managed to access the firearm and somehow shot his younger brother. The mother was allegedly alerted by the gun shot sound and rushed to investigate. She then realized that the worst had happened. The badly injured child was rushed to the local clinic but was certified dead on arrival. The police were then informed about the incident and immediately commenced with investigations.
The father, who is a former security officer, was apparently not at home at the time of the incident and he allegedly left his firearm in the bag that was hung against the wall in his room. The firearm has been seized by the police.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned this incident and directed that, in addition to the investigations into the circumstances of the shooting, appropriate steps must be taken against the father for keeping the firearm in contravention of the Firearms Control Act. “I urge all lawful firearm owners to, at all times keep them in the locked safes to avoid unauthorized access,” said General Ledwaba.
The 12-year-old suspect will be dealt with in accordance with the processes governing the children who are in conflict with the law. Probation officers have already been engaged to take the process forward. Police investigations into the circumstances of the shooting are already underway.
