4-Year-Old Toddler Injured in Hanover Park Shooting

A TODDLER is fighting for his life after being shot in the face during a shootout between two rival gangs in Hanover Park on Wednesday.

According to Kashiefa Mohammed, spokesperson for the Hanover Park Community Policing Forum (CPF), the 4-year-old boy was quickly transported to Red Cross Memorial Children’s Hospital following the incident.

Mohammed stated: “He was shot in the head, and the bullet passed right through at Moray Court, but he is still alive. He was stabilized at Hanover Park Day Hospital before being transferred by ambulance to Red Cross.”

“He was caught in the crossfire as the Ghetto Kidz and Incredibly Gifted Bastards (IGB) were shooting at each other.”

She remarked that the community is fed up with the continuous shootings in the area, noting that children can’t even play outside.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “Philippi police have increased visibility in and around Moray Court, Hanover Park, following a shooting incident this afternoon (Wednesday, 2025-10-08) at 14:30, in which a four-year-old boy was shot and injured.”

“The injured victim was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.”

He further explained that the circumstances surrounding the incidents are under investigation, and officers from the Philippi police station have registered an attempted murder case for further inquiry.

The assailants fled the scene and have not yet been apprehended.

The police urge anyone with information to please contact Detective Sergeant Xolani Baso at 082 469 6534 or 021 690 1516, or to reach out to Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.