Stray bullet kills pupil!

A PHILIPPI family in Cape Town is heartbroken after their daughter was shot and killed by a stray bullet while at school in Athlone on Friday aftrenoon, 19 April.

What happened

Grade 11 pupil Zamawushe Momoti (16) from Belgravia High School was waiting for her scholar transport near the school gate when a shooting between gangsters started on Vlei Road, close to the school.

Pupils waiting for transport fled to the schoolyard.

It was during the chaos when Zamawushe was struck by a bullet and died.

The shocking news

Her mother, Nomvuyo Nduku (38), said she was devastated about the death of her child, and the way she died was unexpected.

"She was never on the streets. When she is back from school, she does her chores and watches TV. She was never on the streets," she said.

The mother was in the Eastern Cape when the incident happened.

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The girl's father, Maseru Momoti (48), said he received a call from the teachers about the incident.

He said the class teacher sent him a WhatsApp message to call the school or call her because "it was urgent".

"I called the teacher. She told me that there was a shooting, and my child had been hit by a stray bullet. I asked her if the child hadn't died, but she insisted that I must get to the school.

"When I arrived at the school, I saw my child covered with a silver foil. I didn't believe it was her. I thought it was someone else. My young son, who is in grade 7, was also there since the transport hadn't picked him up first, so he told me, 'My sister is lying there. She is covered with cloth'. He explained that they tried to resuscitate her," said the distraught father.

Scholar transport driver Sizwe Gcaza said there was a commotion outside the schoolyard when he arrived.

"I didn't stop when I saw kids running in different directions and had to turn around after everything had calmed down. Two pupils whom I also transport came to the vehicle running and told me that it was Zama who was shot," he said.

Police confirm the incident

Western Cape police spokesman Colonel Andre Traut confirmed that cops responded to the shooting on Friday, 19 April.

"With scant regard for the lives of others, rival gangs fired several shots randomly at around 12.30pm, killing a 20-year-old man in Canal Road, Athlone.

"A 16-year-old girl who was standing at the gates of Belgravia High School in Vlei Road was caught in the crossfire and sustained a fatal gunshot wound," said Traut.

One suspect bust

Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi later confirmed that police arrested one suspect on Friday in connection with the shooting.

"One adult male was arrested on two counts of murder and attempted murder. Once charged, the suspect is expected to make a court appearance in the Athlone Magistrates Court," said Swartbooi.