Members of the South African National Defence Force have been deployed to the Cape Flats to assist the South African Police Service in tackling crime in the area.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
A six-year-old sustained a gunshot wound to her head in Valhalla Park after she was caught in gang crossfire Thursday morning.
This comes despite the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) being deployed to the Cape Flats to assist in curbing gang violence.
The incident took place at about 9.20am.
Western Cape police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said the young girl was shot in Eleanor Street.
“Upon arrival on the scene, they found a six-year-old girl who sustained a gunshot wound to her head. The victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment,” Twigg said.
Police confirmed the shooting was gang-related.
“According to reports, the child was caught in the crossfire when rival gangs started shooting. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. Bishop Lavis detectives are investigating an attempted murder case,” Twigg said.
Police said all leads are being followed up in their efforts to bring the perpetrators to book.
In a separate incident in Delft on Wednesday, an off-duty SANDF member was gunned down in Kokaboom Street at about 10.20pm.
Twigg said the man, aged 37, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased is a member of the SANDF who was off duty at the time of the incident and has no link to Operation Prosper. The suspect(s) fled the scene and have not yet been arrested,” Twigg said.
A murder docket has been opened for investigation.
Anyone with any information on the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
Cape Times