Boy, 7, shot dead by 8-year-old cousin; father charged

A seven-year-old boy was shot dead by his eight-year-old cousin using their father’s licensed gun in Nothintwa locality, Ngcwanguba A/A in Mqanduli in the Eastern Cape, on Thursday.

Police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo said the shooting occurred on Thursday afternoon.

“Cases of murder and negligence or failure to safeguard a firearm have been opened at Kwaaiman police station following the fatal shooting of a seven-year-old boy by his eight-year-old cousin using his father’s licensed firearm in Nothintwa locality, Ngcwanguba A/A in Mqanduli on Thursday, October 2 at about 12:45 pm,” Matyolo said.

Matyolo said the eight-year-old accessed the firearm in his father’s bedroom and pointed it at his nearby cousin. A shot went off, instantly killing the boy.

“A case of murder has been opened against the eight-year-old boy, while a charge of failure to safeguard a firearm has been laid against the 48-year-old father,” he added.

Matyolo said the father has been released on warning and is due to appear before the Mqanduli Magistrate’s Court on Friday, October 3.

The eight-year-old boy has been referred to social workers.

In July, IOL News reported the tragic death of a five-year-old boy who was allegedly shot and killed by his minor brother while playing with a gun inside a car, sparking calls for stricter safety measures for gun owners.

Police said they were investigating a case of culpable homicide and negligent handling of a firearm after Yusha Peer, 5, of Northcliff in Johannesburg, was killed.

“A five-year-old was shot inside a car by his older brother, who is a minor and was playing with the firearm. The boy was rushed to the hospital and declared dead. No arrests have been made yet. Police are investigating to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” said Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, spokesperson for Gauteng police.

It has been alleged that the gun belonged to the boy’s father.

However, Sibeko said authorities could not confirm at this stage whether the gun belonged to the boy’s father or who owned the vehicle. She said the matter is still under investigation.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News