Liyolatha Baliso was killed in a suspected extortion related shooting outside her home in Milnerton.
Police have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with the murder of 4-year-old Liyolatha Baliso, who was shot and later died in hospital during an incident now confirmed to be extortion-related in Joe Slovo, Milnerton.
It has also emerged that another person, a 22-year-old man, was killed and four more, including a 4-year-old boy, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident on August 24. Liyolatha succumbed to her injuries days later on September 3 while in hospital.
Her distraught family were making arrangements for her remains to be buried in the Eastern Cape this weekend.
In response to questions about the incident, police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi confirmed on Thursday that the man was arrested on murder and attempted murder charges.
“The circumstances (of the incident) are still under investigation. Milnerton police responded to a complaint of a shooting incident on August 24.
“Upon arrival at the crime scene in Mbubi Drive, Joe Slovo, at around 4.30pm, they found the body of a 22-year-old man who had sustained gunshot wounds. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel.
“Police members rushed a 4-year-old boy, who was found on the scene, and who sustained a gunshot wound to a nearby medical facility.
“Upon arrival at the medical facility they found a 4-year-old girl had sustained a gunshot wound to her stomach.
Their investigation revealed that three other men were also at the same medical facility, all of whom sustained injuries at the same location of the crime scene,” said Swartbooi.
The unknown suspect fled the scene and detectives followed up on the information at their disposal, leading to the breakthrough where they arrested the suspect.
Meanwhile, an alleged extortion kingpin, along with two other suspects, was killed in a police shootout in Mthatha on Wednesday night.
Police said Sakhumzi Mareke, 42, who was wanted for extortion-related crimes, was killed along with two of his accomplices when they confronted officers in Mthatha West following the completion of an operation.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa said a warrant officer was wounded in the shoot-out.
According to Mawisa, officers attached to the National Intervention Unit (NIU) had been involved in an operation in Mthatha West when they proceeded to their unit’s premises at the Embassy Building in Mthatha. On their way, they noticed that they were being followed by two vehicles, a Nissan Qashqai and a Toyota Fortuner.
“As members arrived at the premises, the two suspicious vehicles stopped behind them, and the three men armed with firearms alighted and immediately opened fire. Police retaliated, fatally wounding the three men.”
Three firearms with ammunition were also recovered from the scene.
Eastern Cape police commissioner Nomthetheleli Mene described the incident as “shocking”.
“This is one of the worst forms of attack on police.
“The incident was despicable. The members are urged to be on alert at all times and must always heed safety precautionary measures and be operationally ready,” said Mene.
Cape Times