3-Month-Old Cape Town Toddler Shot and Killed in Horrific Incident, SA Broken
- The South African Police Service is investigating a horrific shooting in the Cape Flats in which a child was killed
- An armed man entered the flat of a woman and opened fire at her and her three-month-old child, killing the infant
- South Africans bemoaned the violence in the Cape Flats and called for the government to do something to curb the influence of gang violence
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.
Source: Getty Images
CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE —A toddler was shot and killed in a horrific shooting incident in the Cape Flats on 22 August 2025. South Africans called for action to be taken against the gang violence in the area.
According to eNCA, the incident happened in Bontheuwel. Two gunmen entered the premises and shot the woman and her child. The child, who was allegedly used as a shield, was then rushed to the hospital and was resuscitated. However, the little infant crashed, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The mother and the gunmen are believed to be members of rival gangs that have been warring in the same section for years. The South African Police Service has launched a manhunt for the suspect.
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Children shot and killed in the Cape Flats
A Kraaifontein, Cape Town child was shot and killed during a shooting on 19 August 2025. The 11-year-old and other children were playing outside in the evening when an unknown suspect started shooting in the street. The child was certified dead on the scene.
A 12-year-old was shot and killed during a shootout between the Nice Time Kids and the 28s gang on 30 January 2024. The victim was standing outside of her classroom when a stray bullet hit her in the head, killing her instantly.
Source: Getty Images
Speaking to Briefly News, Carrie Pillay, a resident of Milnerton, said that there needed to be more police presence, especially in more dangerous areas. She added that it wasn't just the Cape Flats area that was dangerous anymore, saying that it was always innocent people being caught in the crossfire, especially children.
What did South Africans say?
Netizens commenting on Facebook slammed the shooting. Some were concerned the shooters would get bail if arrested.
Mike Vermeer said:
"If caught, he will get R500 bail."
Vivienne Fisher said:
"The guns that police confiscated must not return to the communities."
Verojska Vilander asked:
"How do you use your child as a shield?"
Shameelah Jahed said:
"The citizens of this country, especially the Cape Flats, need to raise their voices in their masses and in unity and put pressure on the government and justice system."
Tracey-Lee Rhoode said:
"Baby was used as a shield? What?"
Vanessa Joseph asked:
"Which sick person does stuff like this?"
79 Children killed in Cape Flats between September and November 2024
In a related article, Briefly News reported that 79 children were killed in the Cape Flats from 1 September to 20 November 2024. A 14-year-old child, Jahmiel Van Reenen, was one of the victims of a shooting in the area.
The Western Cape Provincial Government said that the children were either shot and killed or stabbed. Nine children were shot dead in Elsies River during that period.
Grade 9 Eastern Cape learner stabbed in school attack with scissors
Briefly News reported that South Africans are concerned about the rise of violence in schools after two learners stabbed a grade 9 learner with scissors on 21 August 2025 in Alice, Eastern Cape. According to IOL, the incident happened at the Enkwenkwezini Senior Secondary School in the Amathole West Education District. The two learners reportedly assaulted and stabbed the victim.
The school's staff immediately assisted him and called the South African Police Service after notifying his parents.
The police arrested the two suspects, and the learner is in a stable condition. The provincial Department of Education employed psychosocial staff and the circuit manager to provide the learners with emotional and psychosocial support and to ensure that the learning environment is safe. The department has also called on learners to refrain from violent behaviour.
There have been many similar incidents of violence in schools in 2025. Learners at a school in Lethabong, Tshwane East, received counselling after a grade 11 learner was stabbed to death in full view of his fellow learners on 17 June 2025. The suspect skipped school on the fateful day and waited for the victim after school hours before stabbing him to death.
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Source: Briefly News
