Three-year-old shot dead in Eersterivier, five arrested in nearby house

A three-year-old girl was tragically gunned down in her home in Eersterivier on Tuesday 28 July. 

It is alleged that three unknown suspects stopped in front of a house in Normandie Street in Heather Park at 20:30 and started shooting randomly. As a consequence, the three-year-old died in hospital after being hit in the head.

FIVE SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOLLOWING SHOOTING OF THREE-YEAR-OLD

Following the shooting in Eersterivier on Tuesday, police responded to the incident and started an investigation. 

Members of the Anti-Gang Unit, who were deployed on the scene, followed up on suspicious movement in a nearby house. 

“The information led them to another house in the same street. Upon searching the house they found five firearms including a shotgun. Two teenagers were among the five suspects arrested in the search,” said Western Cape Police Brigadier Novela Potelwa.  

The suspects have been charged with possession of illegal firearms.

UNLICENSED FIREARMS SEIZED 

Meanwhile, in Bishop Lavis, police seized two unlicensed firearms on Bluegum and Rosewood Roads and arrested two suspects in their thirties on Tuesday. 

“In Bristol Road, Brown’s Farm, Nyanga two Z88 pistols were seized in a vehicle that police stopped yesterday. Three suspects, also in their thirties were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms,” said Potelwa.

Also on Tuesday night, police pounced on a suspected drug dealer in a block of flats in Maitland and confiscated a 7.65 pistol whose serial number was filed off. 

“An assortment of drugs comprising of crystal meth and heroin were seized. A 35-year-old man was arrested for possession of drugs and a prohibited firearm,” she said. 

“All arrested suspects are expected in court soon,” she added. 

SUSPECT WANTED FOR CONCEALMENT OF BIRTH 

In a separate incident, Bishop Lavis police are seeking the assistance of the public in locating the whereabouts of a young mother wanted in connection with the concealment of birth. 

It is alleged that on Monday 27 July, at about 6:45, she visited a day hospital located in Candlewood Street, Bonteheuwel complaining of abdominal pains. 

“The patient visited a bathroom for some time and left the building afterwards. Later that morning, a foetus was found by personnel members inside the trauma bathroom,” said Mihlali Majikela.

“The suspect is unknown at this stage and can be described as between the ages of 20-25 years old, short in height with short black hair. At the time of the incident, she was wearing beige or brown shorts with long socks and trainers,” added Mihlali Majikela.

Police urge anyone with information that can help in identifying the suspect to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer  Rochelle Van Schalkwyk on  082-312-7221 or Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi on 082-302-8437.