Grandfather arrested after boy accidentally shoots his cousin in the head
Three cousins were playing at home when they discovered a gun under a bed. Unfortunately, the firearm, which allegedly belonged to their grandfather, went off while they were fiddling with it.
The police in the Eastern Cape are investigating a case of murder after the accidental shooting of a 7-year-old child in Libode on Sunday morning, 3 September. The Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zithulele Dladla expressed his shock at the death of the child that was killed with a firearm allegedly owned by his grandfather.
POLICE ARREST GRANDFATHER, MURDER CASE OPENED
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said three cousins were playing together at their home in Siqikini location on Sunday at about 10:40 when they discovered a gun underneath a bed.
“While one of the children, an 11-year-old boy was fiddling with the firearm (9mm pistol) a shot went off fatally wounding Kwanele Zide (7) in his head,” said Naidu.
The police said the firearm allegedly belonged to the deceased’s 49-year-old grandfather who was subsequently arrested and detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
A case of murder was opened, according to Naidu, however, the 11-year-old boy was not arrested. The ownership of the firearm is yet to be established. The grandfather is expected to appear before the Libode Magistrate’s Court imminently.
“Maj Gen Dladla has strongly condemned the negligence and reiterated that every day a loved one is brutally murdered with a firearm,” said Naidu.
“It is even sadder when families have to mourn the death of children through unfortunate incidents such as this one all because of a firearm and very often an illegal firearm that would change a family’s life forever.”
The acting commissioner urged communities to help the police cut down the possession of illegal firearms. By doing so, they would be protecting children and communities from incidents such as this.