A 13-year-old Elsies River boy went to play with his friends on Friday afternoon – but never made it home.
Instead, his family was left shattered after he was shot dead at a church premises in Uitsig.
The boy was reportedly struck in the back during an incident involving a 58-year-old security guard, who has since been arrested.
When Daily Voice arrived at the family home on Sunday, church members were holding a service for the victim.
The victim’s mother was too distraught to speak, weeping uncontrollably as loved ones comforted her and community members arrived to offer their condolences.
Gunshots rang out nearby while Daily Voice was in the area.
Police investigate circumstances of shooting
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that a murder investigation is under way.
“This office confirms that Ravensmead detectives are investigating a case of murder following an incident that occurred at church premises in Uitsig on Friday, 11 September 2026 at about 4.30pm.
“According to reports, three boys were playing in the premises when a private security officer fired shots, fatally wounding one of them. The 13-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound on his back and succumbed to the injuries on the scene.
“A 58-year-old male suspect was arrested and will appear in court on Monday, 14 September 2026,” Gwala said.
Spokesperson for the Ravensmead Community Police Forum, Zelda Trantraal has offered her condolences and comfort to the family on Sunday.
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Family and community mourn 13-year-old
She took to social media in a heartfelt post stating that the CPF will engage with the SAPS and relevant stakeholders as more information becomes available.
“The Ravensmead Community Policing Forum is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic shooting and death of a 13-year-old boy from Uitsig, which occurred this afternoon at the premises of the old Holy Cross Home on De La Rey Road,” Trantaal wrote.
“According to the information currently available to the CPF, the child was allegedly shot by a security guard on the premises.
“At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, including the reason the child was on the premises and what led to the fatal shooting.”
Members of the Ravensmead South African Police Service attended the scene, where the family of the deceased and members of the Uitsig community were present.
“The loss of a young life is always tragic, but the death of a 13-year-old child in circumstances such as these is particularly distressing and raises serious concerns within our community.
“We call for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death…
“We further appeal to community members not to speculate, spread unverified information or take the law into their own hands.
“We understand the anger, pain and frustration that this incident may evoke, but we urge everyone to remain calm and allow the investigation to take its course.” Trantaal added.
