A Mitchells Plain meisie has been gunned down allegedly by a young man who was like a huiskind at her home.
Little Ayesha Kelly, 10, from Tafelsig was excited about the summer school holidays, but now her family has to bury her instead.
The Tafelsig Primary School pupil had just found out she had passed to Grade 4.
Her bereaved grandmother, Fayrooz Kelly, 48, says on Sunday just after 9pm, Ayesha was on her way to the shop to buy a packet of chips when she was gunned down in Oudekloof Street.
Aysha Kelly was gunned down allegedly by a young man who was like a huiskind at her home. Picture: Leon Knipe
“On Saturday, they were at the beach, so (Sunday) everyone was having a great time just being home,” says Fayrooz.
“The music was playing, the children were modelling. Everyone was having fun.
“Ayesha then asked for chips and wanted to go to the shop. Her mother told her to wait as she was going to walk with her.
“As they were walking, her mother was stopped by a woman and they were talking.
“Ayesha had walked on to the shop. There were lots of children at the shop and then shots rang out,” Fayrooz says crying.
It is believed Ayesha was caught in crossfire between rival gangs in the area.
The young girl’s lifeless body lay below the shop window next to an electrical box and a light pole.
TRAGEDY: Body of Ayesha lies covered in Oudekloof Street, Tafelsig, surrounded by family and neighbours. Picture: Leon Knipe
“She had a bullet wound to her side. She did not bleed.
“We wanted to bury her (Monday) but her autopsy has not been completed and she will be laid to rest (Tuesday) at the Mowbray maqbara,” an inconsolable Fayrooz says.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, confirmed two suspects had been arrested for Ayesha’s murder within hours of the shooting.
“Mitchells Plain SAPS and Anti-Gang Unit members responded to a random shooting between rival gangs in Tafelsig on Sunday that saw a 10-year-old girl killed and the arrest of two suspects in a-street-by-street raid.
“The first suspect, aged 26, was arrested in Olifantshoek Street in Tafelsig. Shortly thereafter, a 21-year-old with an unlicensed firearm was also arrested not far from the scene.
“Both suspects are believed to have strong links with local gangs,” Potelwa said.
Police, the army and AGU members descended on the area and will remain until calm has been restored, she added.
IN SHOCK: Family members distraught after the senseless shooting on Sunday night. Picture: Leon Knipe
Fayrooz says she broke down when she heard who was arrested for her grandchild’s murder.
“One of those suspects was soos ‘n huiskind hier by my huis. I like taking all the children to the beach and he would always go along,” the ouma cried.
The chairman of the Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF), Abie Isaacs, says they are gatvol of the senseless killings.
“As the CPF, we extend our sincerest condolences to the family. We also condemn this shooting in the strongest terms.
“The life of a child taken during the 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children and the start of the school holidays, it is sad,” he says.
He also rejected rumours that the incident happened during load shedding.
Eskom has been implementing power cuts since last Friday.
Isaacs says skollies have been using the cover of darkness to carry out shootings.
“There was no load shedding at the time of the incident. Ironically, the CPF engaged with government to sit down with Eskom to review the load shedding time slots on the Cape Flats.
GATVOL: Abie Isaacs of Mitchells Plain CPF
“We said the Cape Flats can get load shedding from 6am to 6pm and areas like Plattekloof and Constantia (where there’s no gang violence) can get load shedding from 8pm to 6am,” he said.
He also thanked all law enforcement agencies who arrested the suspects.
“Once these perpetrators are charged, I am calling on the community to come out and oppose bail,” Isaacs added.