A nine-year-old girl is fighting for her life in hospital after being hit in the neck by a stray gang bullet in Scottsdene on Friday.
The bullet is lodged between little Chante Abrahams’ neck bones and hasn’t been removed yet.
Kraaifontein Police are investigating a case of murder and two of attempted murder after the shooting in Ashley Court.
A 20-year-old man, Robert Gouws, was killed and an unknown 30-year-old woman was wounded in the incident which is believed to be gang-related.
Little Chante is lucky to be alive as the bullet did not hit her main artery or spine, but she’s not out of danger yet, says her oupa Christiaan Abrahams, 61.
While Chante was playing in the Ashley Court community garden just after 4pm, the shooting started in nearby Park Lane, where shooters opened fire on Gouws.
“Chante was practising her netball and she was also helping with the gardening when she was shot,” says the hartseer oupa.
“A stray bullet hit Chante and an ambulance took her to Kraaifontein Day Hospital.
“We are glad that she’s OK but the bullet is still lodged in her neck; the doctors cannot remove it yet because it is behind the nekwerwels (neck vertebrae).”
He says the girl’s parents Levona and Christopher are staying with her in hospital.
Chante is in Grade 4 at Cavaleira Primary School.
“She is our little princess here at home and we are praying for her safety,” adds Christiaan.
It is understood that Gouws was a gangster and was killed by rivals.
A family member of Gouws says: “Yes, Robert did have his off days but on Friday he was busy doing a good deed helping to beautify the garden in Ashley Court when he was killed.
“He was shot in the head and didn’t make it.”
Captain FC van Wyk says: “Kraaifontein SAPS are investigating a murder and two attempted murder cases after a shooting incident at Ashley Court, Park Avenue, Scottsdene on Friday, where a 20-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded, and two others injured.
“Both injured victims were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
“Anyone with any information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”