Police suspect gang links in the murder of a schoolboy in Elsies River. The 14-year-old was reportedly on his way home from school when he was gunned down on 18th Avenue on Friday. 

Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain F.C. Van Wyk, said a case of murder was registered for further investigation.  

He said police were alerted to a shooting in the area, and upon their arrival on the scene, the boy was found lying in the road with “multiple gunshot wounds to the head”. Van Wyk adds that the circumstances are still under investigation.  

This probe led members of the Anti-Gang Unit to the arrest of a 16-year-old and four others in connection with the killing. They were scheduled to appear before court on Monday. 

“The motive is believed to be gang related… Following up on all intelligence gathered by Elsies River detectives and members attached to Anti-Gang Unit led to the arrest of five suspects aged 16, 21, 23, 27 and 30 for the murder of the 14-year-old victim. They are due to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates court on 2025-09-22,” said Van Wyk.  

The brutal nature of the killing has sent shockwaves through the community.  

Imraahn Mukkadam of the Elsies River Safety Initiative identified the victim as Bradwin George, offering his condolences to his family.  

He further called on the Elsies River residents to adopt an approach of caring for all children in the community, noting a trend of children falling victim to gang and gun violence.  

“We’re also seeing a trend that younger and younger children are becoming victims of these kind of executions. What could a 14-year-old boy have done to deserve to be executed in the street the way Bradwin was?”  questioned Mukkadam

He further called on the community to assist the police in this investigation.  

“[Our community] must come together and fight crime together, and make sure that we sign up to our local neighbourhood watches, our community group patrollers and get actively involved in combating crime because things are really becoming extremely volatile and our children are excessively more vulnerable as this cycle of violence increases,” said Mukkadam.  

Range Primary School held a special assembly on Monday, in honour of Bradwin, who was a Grade 6 learner there.  

“Pastor Peters… shared words of comfort, faith and hope with our learners and staff following the tragic passing of one of our Grade 6 learner – Bradwin George,” said the school in a social media post.  

The school remembered Bradwin as “a child with a strong presence”.  

“We are saddened to share the news of the passing of one of our Grade 6 learners, Bradwin George. His life was tragically cut short and our school community mourns the loss of a young life with so much still ahead… We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and classmates during this difficult time. Rest peacefully Bradwin,” read the school’s statement.