39 children murdered in the Western Cape since January

2-minute read
21 July 2023 | 16:05 CAT

Image: Cape Town ETC

Thirty-nine children have been murdered in the Western Cape in just seven short months. In the latest incident, 9-year-old Tiano Anthony died after a bullet hit him in the head. It is believed the bullet was fired when a known gangster cleaned his firearm in Manenberg.

The Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, recently cited quarterly crime statistics.

Allen said during the corresponding period in 2022, 19 children were killed.

“Any child that is murdered concerns me deeply. It is unacceptable and has to stop. There is no way that we can justify child killings in any way,’ he says, adding that 19 children were murdered during the same reporting period last year.” said Allen.

According to the MEC, the crime statistics also revealed that 382 murders were recorded this year using a firearm.

The latest child murder has raised concerns about gangsters openly handling their weapons in public.

According to News24, the latest child murder prompted concerns about gangsters who handle their weapons in public. Adele Kirsten, Gun Free SA director, says the legislation is clear: when a person obtains a competency certificate for gun ownership, that competency needs to be determined.

Meanwhile, the MEC highlighted that gang violence ranks extremely high as a motive for murders and child-related murders within the province.

“In most scenarios it is stray bullets that hit children which ultimately eminate from drug turf wars and also gang fighting,” added the MEC.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.

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