Cape Town - A twelve-year-old boy has been killed and three others wounded in a shooting at a Khayelitsha barbershop, prompting community leaders’ call for action.
Three armed men entered the establishment and fired at the children on Wednesday afternoon in Harare.
The police said no arrests have yet been made.
Police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, said: “Please be advised that Harare SAPS registered a murder and attempted murder counts to probe the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident which claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy and wounded three other boys aged between nine and 13.
“Preliminary information reveals that three unknown suspects entered the shop and opened gunfire on the boys, leaving one dead and three wounded, whereafter they fled on foot.
“The wounded boys were transported to a medical facility for treatment. The suspects are yet to be arrested. The motive for this heinous act forms part of ongoing investigation.”
Police appealed to anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 0860010111 or through the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
Community activist and ANC regional chairperson, Ndithini Thyido, has asked the police to address barbershop shootings.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
“We don’t want to immediately cast aspersions on what activities could be taking place in these barbershops, but we condemn the senseless killing of children in these shops and we hope that the police will nip this in the bud so that this doesn’t become a trend where young people are targeted and mowed down in these establishments,” he said.
“It is very unfortunate that this happened at a time when a similar incident happened where a number of about three children and an adult were killed in a similar fashion, in Site C,” he said
The shooting took place the day before Athule Mtsha and Sithisa Masiko appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court for the murder at the barbershop in Site C in June.
The State informed the court that the investigation was finalised and trial will begin in the new year.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Eric Ntabazalila said: “Athule Mtsha and Sithisa Masiko appeared at Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court facing four counts of murder and 11 counts of attempted murder.
“Their case has been postponed until 23 January 2025 for a regional court date.”