A disabled ouma from Cafda has been killed by a stray bullet while sitting in her bedroom.
The family of Belinda Petersen, 58, has been left traumatised after she was hit in the head on Thursday afternoon.
Her 14-year-old niece, who cannot be named, says she will never forget how she watched her elderly aunt run to the kitchen for help before collapsing on the floor.
“It was just after 3pm when my aunty was sitting here in her room where she always sits,” she says.
“They were shooting in the road and the bullet came through the window and she was shot.
“She ran through the house and she fell in the kitchen and then she was dead.”
Daughter Michelle, 37, says they surrounded her mother’s body as police were called to the scene.
“We are not sure, but they declared her dead in the kitchen and they found four doppies at the scene.
“My mother was somebody who just sat in her house and enjoyed looking after the children.
“She was born with a disability where her left leg is shorter than the right leg and so she couldn’t really work but always wanted to. We couldn’t believe that she died like that.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana says: “A case of murder has been opened for investigating after a shooting incident that occurred in Volksang Road, Retreat.
“According to information, a 58-year-old woman was shot and fatally wounded. It is reported that she was hit by a stray bullet,” she said, adding that no arrests were made.
However, Michelle says they were informed by detectives that Steenberg police had arrested two gunmen and were waiting for information about their court appearance.
“They said they were going to Wynberg Magistrates’ Court today, but at this stage we are preparing for the funeral so we are waiting for the detectives to get back to us.”
Steenberg Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Gavin Walbragt says the incident has rocked the community and people do not feel safe.
“We condemn this unscrupulous shooting and it goes to show they don’t even care how they shoot. This woman was shot while inside her house, not on the street, and is now dead because of a stray bullet.”