- Police have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the murder of Firdous Kleinsmidt (12), who was killed by a stray bullet outside her Beacon Valley school on Tuesday 30 January.
- The Grade 7 learner at Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School was shot and killed while waiting for her scholar transport.
- Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen commended police on this arrest.
Police have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the murder of Firdous Kleinsmidt (12), who was killed by a stray bullet outside her Beacon Valley school on Tuesday 30 January.
The Grade 7 learner at Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School was shot and killed while waiting for her scholar transport.
According to police, the sterling, round the clock investigative work by the investigating officer, Detective Srg Bradley Schuurman, who is attached to Anti-Gang Unit, led to the arrest of the Eastridge man on Wednesday 31 January.
At 11:20, outside the school situated in Khayalami Street, the girl was caught in a crossfire between rival gangs and was shot and killed by a stray bullet. She was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen commended police on this arrest.
"This suspect should provide all the detail into this unnecessary and senseless incident,” he said.
“There was no need for this young girl to lose her life in this manner. I once again urge police to apply the POCA (Prevention of Organised Crime Act), so that the suspect has additional charges. Should there be an application for bail I urge the judge to deny it, as we cannot have characters such as these roaming our streets."
The suspect is due to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court on Friday 2 February.