On 28 July 2025, a stray bullet claimed the life of five-year-old Melokuhle Tshaka in Nyanga, Western Cape. For instance, she walked to a shop with her aunt on Klipfontein Road, Lusaka, around 6:40 pm when gunfire, likely from a gang shootout, struck her back and exited her front. Consequently, the Nyanga stray bullet tragedy left the community grieving and demanding swift action to curb rampant gun violence.
Incident Details
Melokuhle’s family rushed her to KTC Day Hospital in a private vehicle since no ambulance was available. Sadly, doctors declared her dead on arrival. Meanwhile, police found an R4 rifle cartridge at the scene, suggesting heavy weaponry. FC van Wyk, police spokesperson, stated that local police have recorded this Nyanga tragedy as a murder case, but no arrests have occurred yet. Thus, scarce medical resources and ongoing violence underscore the area’s dire challenges.
Community Anger Erupts
The Nyanga stray bullet tragedy sparked intense outrage among residents.
For example, Dumisani Qwebe, Nyanga Community Policing Forum secretary-general, expressed the community’s pain: “We cannot allow these kids to die like this. It’s tough for us. If you kill a child, God will never forgive you.”
Likewise, Siyabulela Monakali from Ilitha Labantu highlighted a pattern of violence, citing the recent murder of seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa in Khayelitsha. He blamed systemic failures for the Cape Flats crisis.
Urgent Push for Safety Measures
Community leaders and advocacy groups demand stronger safety measures after the shocking Nyanga bullet tragedy. Specifically, they seek more police patrols, community programs, and solutions to break poverty-driven crime cycles. Additionally, Ilitha Labantu stressed that authorities must prioritise child safety, noting two other child shootings in Nyanga in the past two months with no arrests. Therefore, they urge decisive action.
Path to Justice and Change
As police investigate, Nyanga residents hope for justice for Melokuhle. The Western Cape government promised to support law enforcement, but trust remains low due to past failures. For instance, the Nyanga tragedy calls for practical solutions, like improved policing and youth programs, to ensure no more children die in senseless violence.
