Bishop Lavis Detectives are following up on all leads after a three-month-old baby boy was shot and killed on Friday morning, 22 August, in Bonteheuwel.
Police say reports suggest two armed men entered a home on Yellowwood Street at around 07:45 and proceeded to one of the living rooms.
One of the men then fired a gunshot in the direction of a woman with a baby, leaving the three-month-old boy with serious injuries.
The child was rushed to Vanguard Hospital for medical treatment.
Sadly, the infant passed away at around 11:30 on Friday morning, despite several attempts to resuscitate him.
The unidentified suspects fled the scene, and they are yet to be arrested. The motive for this attack is believed to be gang-related.
A case of murder and one of attempted murder is being investigated.
Police have appealed to the public to come forward with information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.
The Police’s Joseph Swartbooi says detectives are pursuing several leads in a bid to apprehend those responsible.
Bishop Lavis police are investigating a murder and an attempted murder.
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie says the community is in mourning after the baby died.
“My deepest sympathy to the family, the friends and the community during this extremely difficult time.”
The Bishop Lavis Crime Prevention Forum has condemned the latest shooting. Graham Lindhorst says police need to improve their knowledge of gang operations to prevent these tragedies.
At the same time, the anti-crime organisation, Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA), has accused McKenzie of playing politics.
In an initial statement this morning, McKenzie blamed the tragedy on a broken policing system, slamming parties like the NCC, Patriotic Alliance, and Al-Jama-ah for voting against a motion that would have given the City greater powers to fight gangsterism through devolved policing.
“Their decision shows us they care nothing for the families who suffer daily on the Cape Flats.”
But FACSA has hit back, saying politicising the shooting of a baby is “stomach-turning.”
“It is disgraceful to exploit the suffering of an infant as a political football. When Bonteheuwel experienced periods of relative calm, the City of Cape Town was quick to claim the credit. Yet the moment shootings erupt, the very same City shifts the blame onto SAPS. This double standard is not leadership, it is cowardice.”
Police have urged anyone who can shed light on the circumstances of this incident to call Crime Stop 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
*This article has been updated since it was first published
