A 43-year-old Warrant Officer attached to the Provincial DPCI in Limpopo has been charged with negligent keeping of a firearm in contravention of the Firearms Control Act. This after his 13-year-old nephew allegedly shot himself with his official firearm at Shayandima in Thohoyandou on Monday, 21 June 2021 at about 16h30.
The 13-year-old child, identified as Phethani Kwinda, reportedly accessed his uncle’s firearm, a 9mm Z88 service pistol which he reportedly left in the room and shot himself on the head. He died instantly.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has strongly condemned this incident of keeping a firearm in contravention of existing law that resulted in the loss of life.
“The firearm may not be kept anywhere except in a locked safe or carried in a holster that is worn by or attached to the person of the holder when it is not in use. The member will then be dealt with accordingly”. Concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
It is not clear at this stage whether the child accidentally shot himself or has taken his own life. A case of Inquest has also been opened and police investigations are continuing.
