Investigation underway after 13-year-old shoots cousin

Investigation underway after 13-year-old shoots cousin in Mpumalanga

The police are investigating a case of attempted murder after a 13-year-old shot his cousin while playing with a gun in Mpumalanga.

A 13-year-old shot his cousin while playing with a gun. IMAGE: Flickr

MPUMALANGA: The SAPS in Verena, Nelspruit are investigating a case of attempted murder and negligent handling of a firearm after a 13-year-old boy shot his cousin (15) while playing with a gun at langkloof in Verena on Saturday, 05 April 2025.

13-YEAR-OLD BOY SHOOTS COUSIN IN MPUMALANGA

According to SAPS Mpumalanga, the 15-year-old victim was found lying in bed with a gunshot wound on his cheek at Verena Clinic. The police were called to the clinic and discovered that the victim had been shot by his cousin.

“The suspect had somehow stolen[sic] his father’s safe keys from the wardrobe and took out the firearm from the safe. It has also surfaced that the suspect was playing with the firearm when the unfortunate occurred wherein the firearm was discharged, hitting the cousin,” said SAPS Mpumalanga.

The victim was then rushed to the hospital while the suspect was taken to the police station.

The suspect will make their appearance at the Mkobola Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 09 April 2025, for attempted murder. The father of the suspect is also facing a charge of negligent handling of a firearm.

GRANDSON WHO ALLEGEDLY STABBED HIS GRANNY ON THE NECK KILLED BY MOB

In other news, a 24-year-old man who allegedly stabbed his grandmother was killed by a mob in Mountview, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on 7 April 2025.

The man allegedly stabbed his 61-year-old grandmother on the neck in Mountview KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Sunday, 6 April 2025. According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), it is alleged that the suspect was demanding money to buy narcotics as he is a drug addict.

“He allegedly demanded money to purchase narcotics. He grabbed a knife and dragged her out of the house and down an embankment before he stabbed next to a stream her after she declined to hand over the finance. He left her for dead and fled in an unknown direction,” said RUSA.

However, community members apprehended the suspect, tied his hands and legs with a rope and beat him to death.

“On arrival, it was established that he was fatally injured and demised prior to the arrival of First Responders,” said RUSA.

It was found that the deceased allegedly had a history of violence towards his grandmother.

In other crime-related news, a suspect was arrested for robbing a pedestrian on Monday, 7 April 2025.

A victim, who was robbed of his backpack containing a Samsung A05 cellphone, wallet, bank cards and R50 cash by the suspects spotted them in Verulam CBD, KwaZulu-Natal and quickly contacted RUSA.

“One suspect was apprehended after a brief foot chase while his accomplice fled into a bush along the R102. An extensive search was conducted for him, however, he still remains at large,” said RUSA.

The 24-year-old is currently detained at SAPS Verulam.