Four-year-old dies of gunshot wound to the head
His father, Sifiso Mtshali, spoke to the COURIER and he expressed his pain.
THATO Mhaula (4) from South Hills succumbed to his injury at the hospital on June 19 after he was shot in the head during an armed robbery at a spaza shop on June 13.
He was with two of his siblings when the incident occurred. Thato was fighting for his life in hospital while he was on life support.
His father, Sifiso Mtshali, spoke to the COURIER and he expressed his pain.
“My son died on June 19 during the day. Seeing my son on those machines was painful. My son and the other two went to the shop at about 7pm. I believe there was an armed robbery when they arrived and the suspects were about to leave when the youngsters entered the shop. Thato was shot while the suspects were about to go out of the shop. The bullet damaged his brain. The doctors confirmed that he was brain dead while he was still on the life support machine,” he explained.
Ward 57 Clr Faeeza Chame sent her condolences to the family and she said they are traumatised with this tragic incident.
“My heart is broken because of this senseless killing. I am very shocked at what happened to this little innocent boy. No parent deserves to see their child leave this earth in such a manner. Justice must take its course,” she said.
“A case of business robbery and attempted murder has been opened at the station. I can confirm that there were five suspects. After they held up the staff at the shop, they told them to lie down while they took R3 000 cash and goods worth R5 000. On their way out, the little boy entered the shop and when he saw people lying down, he started crying and that’s when they shot him,” explained Capt Jeff Phora, Moffat View SAPS spokesperson.
“They are between the age of 25 to 35 and they fled in a black Audi A4. We appeal to witnesses to please come forward with information and to contact us on 011 405 1539 or call anonymously to 10111,” said Phora.
No one has been arrested.
Sifiso said Thato will be laid to rest in Natal.
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