11-year-old girl killed by stray bullet in suspected gang-related shooting in Kraaifontein

Kraaifontein residents are in shock following the tragic death of an 11-year-old girl and injuries to two others in a suspected gang-related shooting on Tuesday.

Esmine Franke was playing outside with her 8-year-old friend when gunmen opened fire, aiming at a target who miraculously remained unharmed.

Shahieda Franke said: "We were at home when we heard the gunshots, when we went out, there was no one. Someone called and said I must go and see her; she had been hit. She was still alive, she couldn't talk, she squeezed my hand. When the ambulance got here, they treated my brother who was hit in the legs, and then they realised that Esmine was no longer alive. They were sitting outside, and then a boy who is a gangster walked, and they came after him, and they didn't hit him at all." 

The 8-year-old was shot in the back, and she is now in Tygerberg Hospital.

Police said a 19-year-old man was wounded during the incident in Wallacedene.

SAPS spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said the shooting occurred at about 7:20pm in Mti Street.

"According to reports, the victims were playing outside when an unidentified suspect approached and started to shoot in the street. All three victims were wounded by stray bullets."

Van Wyk confirmed that the young girl was declared dead on the scene by paramedics, while the two survivors were taken to the hospital for treatment.

He added that the motive is believed to be gang-related and that the suspect fled and has yet to be arrested.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS app. Information will be treated as confidential.

Kraaifontein Community Policing Forum chairperson, Mawethu Sisila, said the community was still trying to make sense of the tragedy.

"From what I heard, this shooting was gang-related, but it still has to be confirmed. We are shocked by what happened and strongly condemn it," he said.

Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said the tragedy highlights the unsafe conditions in communities plagued by gangs.

"Gang violence is not an isolated problem. It is rooted in the conditions of poverty, inequality, and neglect that continue to define life in many of our townships. The persistence of these killings reflects systemic failures to dismantle gangs, to provide meaningful alternatives for young people, and to deliver effective policing that communities can rely on. Until these failures are addressed, children will continue to die, families will continue to grieve, and communities will continue to be terrorised.

"We send our condolences to the bereaved family and wish the injured victims a full recovery. The loss of yet another young life must serve as a call to urgent action to protect children and to ensure that families can live with dignity and security."

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