KEY POINTS
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A 13-year-old boy from Mpumalanga has been charged with attempted murder after shooting his 15-year-old cousin in the face using a firearm he took from his father’s safe.
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The boy’s father has been charged with negligent handling of a firearm, as authorities stress the importance of secure firearm storage.
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The 13-year-old is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, while the case highlights growing concerns over firearm safety and the risks posed by unsecured weapons in homes.
A 13-year-old boy from Mpumalanga has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting his 15-year-old cousin in the face.
The incident occurred on April 5, 2025, when the young boy reportedly gained access to his father’s firearm, leading to the shooting of his cousin, who was subsequently hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the cheek.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Jabu Ndubane, a spokesperson for the Mpumalanga police, the boy was arrested in Verena following the shooting.
He is expected to appear in the Mkobola Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after his release from police custody. The shooting took place after the boy allegedly took the keys to his father’s safe, retrieved the firearm, and began playing with it.
Circumstances surrounding the shooting
The Citizen reports that Police were alerted to the incident after receiving a complaint from a clinic where the victim was being treated.
The 15-year-old was found to have suffered a gunshot wound to the cheek, prompting the authorities to investigate further. It was soon discovered that the younger boy had accessed his father’s safe, retrieved the firearm, and was allegedly playing with it when the gun discharged, striking his cousin in the face.
“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 Ndubane. The victim was immediately taken to the hospital for medical treatment, while the 13-year-old suspect was brought to the police station for questioning and arrest.
In addition to the charges against the teenage boy, his father has also faced legal consequences. The boy’s father has been charged with negligent handling of a firearm.
Police officials, including Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, have strongly condemned the incident and called for stricter adherence to firearm regulations. “Firearms in the wrong hands can have deadly consequences,” Mkhwanazi warned, emphasizing the importance of licensed firearm holders following the strict rules outlined in the Firearms Control Act.
The case has drawn attention to the need for greater responsibility and caution among gun owners in South Africa, particularly in households with children.
The tragic incident has also highlighted the potential dangers of unsecured firearms in the home and the devastating consequences that can arise from careless handling.
