Pregnant Woman Killed, Toddler Shot in Face in Early-Morning Malmesbury Mass Shooting
A 21-year-old pregnant woman was shot dead while cradling her one-year-old son during a mass shooting in Malmesbury in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The toddler was shot in the face in the same hail of bullets that claimed his mother’s life. A 22-year-old man was also killed in the attack, while six other adults and the infant were wounded and rushed to hospital.
Police confirmed that all the injured victims are in a stable condition. The baby was later transferred to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital for specialised care.
The shooting unfolded at around 4.40am in Godetia Street in the Wesbank area. According to witnesses, a group of friends and family members had been sitting around a fire and drinking when gunmen allegedly entered through a neighbouring yard and opened fire through a barbed-wire fence.
“They were sitting around the fire”
A mother whose son was wounded in the attack said the group had been gathered at her son’s house when the violence erupted.
Fighting back tears, she described the terrifying moments when gunshots shattered the quiet of the early morning.
“They were sitting around the fire. I was standing at the door when I heard gunshots and just saw vonke.
“I bent and ran inside my place. I couldn’t come out again because the gunshots were aaneen.
“I did not see the shooters, but everyone just started shouting, ‘I’ve been shot’.
“Myself, my daughter and another woman had to help the victims until the ambulance came. Two were dead at the scene. The 21-year-old woman was pregnant and her one-year-old son was shot in the face.
“My eldest son was also shot and wounded.”
Neighbours say the area descended into chaos as victims lay bleeding on the ground and desperate attempts were made to stem the flow of blood while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Visiting From Cape Town
A close friend of the deceased woman said she had been visiting Malmesbury from Cape Town.
She explained that she was attending to her own baby when the gunfire rang out.
“I was attending to my 10-month-old when I heard the gunshots. When I came outside, I just saw everyone lying on the ground, geskiet.
“My friend is not from here; she is from Cape Town but lives here in Malmesbury with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend was also shot during the voorval.”
The friend said the young mother had been looking forward to building her life with her partner. Instead, her family is now preparing for a funeral while her injured child recovers in hospital.
Police Investigation Under Way
When the Daily Voice visited the scene later that morning, police had cordoned off the property. Officers were combing the area for evidence, and one suspect had been apprehended and taken in for questioning.
Acting Provincial Police Commissioner for the Western Cape, Major-General Luyanda Damoyi, was at the scene overseeing operations.
Damoyi said investigators are exploring the possibility that the shooting may be gang-related.
“We are following all leads. We have taken all specialised teams, including our drones, to be in the area to trace and follow up on any information we are getting on the ground; we do hope that soon we will make arrests.”
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that six adults and the infant were admitted to hospital following the shooting.
“Six adults and an infant were injured in the shooting and were admitted to hospital for medical treatment.
“The infant was subsequently transferred to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. The injured victims are reported to be in a stable condition.”
Community in Shock
Residents of Wesbank say they are living in fear after the brazen attack, which unfolded just before dawn.
The fact that the gunmen allegedly entered through a neighbour’s yard before firing through barbed wire has raised concerns about how easily the attackers were able to access the property and escape.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Police have not yet confirmed whether the deceased or any of the injured were known to law enforcement or linked to gang activity.
For now, families in Godetia Street are left mourning two young lives lost and praying for the recovery of those wounded — including a toddler who survived a gunshot wound to the face while in his mother’s arms.
As detectives continue their investigation, the community waits for answers about who carried out the deadly attack and why.
