South African woman shoots and k!lls her neighbour’s 4-year-old son while ‘testing’ gun

A four-year-old boy, Obakeng Minyuku, was shot and k!lled in South Africa after a neighbour discharged a licensed firearm while “testing” it inside her yard.

The incident occurred in Chris Hani village, Temba, on Sunday evening, January 25, 2026.

According to police spokesperson Sergeant Herman Moremi, police received information from the Temba clinic about the deceased, who was shot in the right armpit.

“It is alleged that the child was playing outside with other children when a neighbor discharged her licensed firearm. It is suggested that the woman was testing her 9mm Glock inside the yard and shot the child,” he said.

Moremi said the child was rushed to the Temba clinic, where he was certified d3ad.“

Police arrested a 38-year-old woman for murder, negligent handling of a firearm, and discharging a firearm in a municipal area.  Police also seized the firearm. The suspect will appear in Temba Magistrate’s Court in due cause.”

The Station Commander, Brigadier Johannes Tau, condemned the incident and said such an act is horrific and unacceptable. 

He strongly warned those with firearms that they could not play with them or test them at any time because a firearm is not a toy. It can harm or k!ll a person next to you.