A Mqanduli father of an eight-year-old boy is facing a negligence charge after his son allegedly fatally shot his seven-year-old cousin with his licensed firearm.
The incident is said to have happened at about 12.45pm on Thursday at Nothintwa location in the Ngcwanguba administrative area in Mqanduli.
Police spokesperson Capt Welile Matyolo said the eight-year-old reportedly accessed the firearm in his father’s bedroom.
“He then pointed the weapon at his cousin, and a shot was fired, killing the younger boy instantly,” Matyolo said.
Cases of murder and failure to safeguard a firearm had been opened at the Kwaaiman police station, Matyolo said.
The 48-year-old father is facing a charge of failure to safeguard a firearm, while a case of murder has been opened against the boy, who has since been referred to social workers.
He has been released on warning and is scheduled to appear before the Mqanduli magistrate’s court on Friday.
Daily Dispatch
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