Motherwell, Eastern Cape – A 16-month-old baby boy tragically lost his life after being struck by a stray bullet in Motherwell, Eastern Cape, on Tuesday evening. The incident, which occurred around 5pm, left the community reeling and resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old suspect on a charge of murder.
Little Luhlelunje Mdingi was in the arms of his 17-year-old aunt when the bullet struck him in the arm. His mother, Athuxolo Mdingi, 26, immediately rushed him to the Motherwell Health Centre, but tragically, he was pronounced dead just five minutes after arrival. The details of this devastating event were confirmed by police spokesperson, Capt Sandra Janse van Rensburg.
Capt van Rensburg explained the sequence of events leading to the arrest: “Motherwell police responded to a complaint of a murder from the Motherwell Health Centre. On arrival, they were informed that a 16-month-old child had died due to a gunshot wound. The members were then informed that a family member of the deceased was walking in Sakhwatzha Street, NU8, Motherwell, when she noticed the suspect with a firearm. It is unclear what happened, but a shot was fired and the [relative] noticed that Luhlelunje was bleeding. He was rushed to the medical centre, but had died due to the gunshot wound.”
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Police are investigating how the shot was fired and whether it was intentional or accidental. The investigation will likely focus on the suspect's actions and the events leading up to the discharge of the firearm. Capt van Rensburg confirmed that the suspect, a 31-year-old man, handed himself in at the Motherwell police station on Wednesday, accompanied by his attorney.
“Motherwell detectives arrested the suspect after he reported to the police station with his attorney on Wednesday,” Capt van Rensburg stated. The swift arrest suggests a degree of cooperation from the suspect, although the exact reasons behind his surrender remain unknown. The investigation will undoubtedly delve into the suspect's motives and the circumstances that led to the tragic death of the young child.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Motherwell magistrate's court on Thursday to face the murder charge.
