Holidays Turn Tragic in Eastern Cape as Teen Allegedly Kills 11-Year-Old

A community in shock

The holiday season, often a time of laughter and family gatherings, has been marred by tragedy in the Eastern Cape. On Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the quiet locality of PhezukweWilo in Mqanduli was rocked when an 11-year-old boy was allegedly shot and killed by a 14-year-old using his father’s homemade gun.

Residents are still coming to terms with the incident, expressing disbelief on social media. One community member posted on X:
“How does a child get access to a loaded gun at home? Our hearts go out to the family.”
Another wrote:
“This is devastating. We must teach our children about safety and responsibility before it’s too late.”

The shooting and the flight

According to Kwaaiman police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo, the shooting occurred around 10:30 am. Police were called to a homestead where the young boy was found lifeless inside one of the rooms.

“It is alleged that the 14-year-old boy used his father’s homemade gun, which was left loaded in a drawer of a headboard while the father went into town,” said Matyolo.

After the shooting, the teen reportedly fled the scene, and police are currently searching for both him and the firearm.

“A case of murder has been opened, and the investigation is ongoing. Charges against the father cannot be ruled out,” Matyolo added.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact their nearest police station.

A troubling pattern in the province

This is not an isolated tragedy. In October 2025, another child in the Eastern Cape fatally shot a seven-year-old cousin after gaining access to his father’s licensed firearm.

In that case, the eight-year-old boy accidentally discharged the gun, killing his cousin instantly. The father, 48, was charged for failing to safeguard a firearm. The incident raised national conversations about firearm storage in homes and the risks of children handling guns, whether licensed or homemade.

Captain Matyolo said in both cases, charges of murder and failure to safeguard a firearm have been laid, emphasizing the need for vigilance in households with firearms.

A community’s call for action

These incidents highlight a deeper issue in parts of the Eastern Cape, where homemade and licensed firearms are not always securely stored. Social media discussions reflect growing public frustration:

“Parents must take responsibility. Leaving guns accessible is asking for disaster,” one resident commented.
Another warned:
“These tragedies could be prevented if every household treated guns with the respect they deserve.”

Local leaders are calling for awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of firearm safety laws, particularly in homes with children.

As police continue their search for the teen and the firearm, the Eastern Cape community is left grappling with grief, fear, and anger. Families across the province are reminded of the fragile line between innocence and tragedy, and the devastating consequences when safety measures fail.

For now, the case remains under investigation, but one message is clear: firearms in homes are not toys, and negligence can destroy lives in an instant.

{Source: The Citizen}

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