A Cape Town community is reeling after teenager Alnika Mitchell was fatally caught in gang-related crossfire in Cloetesville on Sunday.
Mitchell and a group of friends had been sitting outside, watching matric dance farewell celebrations, when gunfire erupted. Her grandmother says she instinctively chased after the shooter, not realising that Alnika had been struck and would not survive.
In a separate but related incident in the same area, the Pietersen family is anxiously awaiting the recovery of two young children. A four-year-old was shot in the neck, while a seven-year-old sustained an injury to the arm. Their grandmother, Julia Pietersen, described the chaos and terror as bullets hit the children.
Community leaders and activists say the violence has reached intolerable levels. Cloetesville activist Magdalene Blanken said shooters act with a single intention to harm and kill with no regard for children caught in the crossfire.
Residents are now calling for unity and collective action to curb persistent gang violence.
The suspect accused of killing Alnika, believed to be a known gang member, is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.