Gangster's kids shot
2003-03-27 20:25
Cape Town - The children of a Cape Flats gang member were shot and wounded on Thursday morning in what police believe was an attempt to kill their father, while he was dropping them off at school.
Inspector Elliot Sinyangana said a man known as Merbin from the 28s Gang, was dropping his 14-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son off at Eerste River Senior Secondary School when two armed men driving a beige coloured Toyota Corolla opened fire on Merbin.
They missed him but both children were injured, Sinyangana said.
The gunmen then fled.
The children were admitted to a local hospital and were reported to be in a stable condition.
Sinyangana said four men were arrested hours later and taken in for questioning. However, Sinyangana could not confirm whether they were linked to the shooting.
Police found 13 empty R5 cartridges at the scene and two 9mm cartridges.
Sinyangana said police were investigating the possibility that the incident was gang-related.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress in the Western Cape said on Thursday it was outraged at the shooting.
Spokesperson Gert Witbooi said the ANC leadership commended its local branch members for giving their support to the school teachers and the pupils.
"After hearing the gunshots, many of our members immediately rushed to the school to help protect the children and offered support.
"The Cape Flats communities have barely buried the recent child victims, and now this. It is absolutely deplorable and despicable. We commend the police and (Western Cape) Community Safety Minister Leonard Ramatlakane for the swift reaction and arrests of four perpetrators."
Witbooi urged the community to "play their part and urged all communities to continue to co-operate with the police."
Since the beginning of the year, four children have been killed and another wounded in gang violence. Often the children have been bystanders in attacks.
Police have deployed extra forces to troublesome areas in an attempt to curb the violence.
- SAPA