Marsha Dean|Published
Two cousins, aged 10 and 12, were wounded in an apparent crossfire outside a shop in Heideveld after school on Wednesday. A 19-year-old man was also shot in the incident.
Fahad Khan, 10, and Mareldia Khan, 12, are both pupils at Willows Primary School.
Their grandmother said the children had gone to the shop to buy snacks after school.
“They came home, dropped their bags and went to the shop. They always go to the shop because they get money in the morning for school. If they do not use all of it, they buy something at the shop,” she said.
Family describes children’s injuries
“I was at home when I heard the gunshots. At first, we thought it was a small firecracker, but then we heard more shots and realised they were gunshots.
“I went outside when Mareldia ran to me crying hysterically. I saw blood coming from her sleeve and realised she had been shot. I froze and asked someone – I cannot even remember who – to rush her to the day hospital.
“We heard that Fahad had also been shot and was lying inside the shop. They fetched him and carried him into a bakkie before rushing him to the day hospital.”
Mareldia, a Grade 5 learner, was shot in the hand and grazed by a bullet on her thigh.
Fahad, a Grade 4 learner and keen footballer, was shot in the ankle. He underwent a four-hour operation to remove the bullet.
Fahad Khan
Police investigate attempted murders
Their aunt said doctors had told the family that an artery had burst and the bullet had become lodged near another artery.
“He had to undergo emergency surgery. He is now out of danger and recovering,” she said.
“Mareldia was shot in the hand, which caused a split. I had to hold her fingers together so that they could stitch them, but luckily she did not suffer any broken bones.
“We are grateful that they are safe and recovering. We are not involved in gangsterism or anything, but the shooters do not care anymore.”
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said Manenberg police had registered three counts of attempted murder following the shooting at the corner of Jonkershoek and Bloukrans roads in Heideveld at about 4pm on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
“According to reports, a grey BMW stopped in the street and two male suspects got out and fired shots,” Gwala said.
“The three victims, aged 10, 12 and 19, sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to a medical facility for treatment. The motive is yet to be determined and no arrests have been made.”
In a separate incident the following morning, two friends were shot inside a house in Suther Peak Road, Heideveld.
One man was killed and another was taken to hospital.
Gwala said police responded to reports of a shooting at about 8.20am and found an adult man with gunshot wounds inside the house.
“He was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel. The second victim was taken to a medical facility for treatment,” Gwala said.
“Police believe the motive for the attack was gang-related. No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.”