A three-year-old boy has been injured in a Beacon Valley shooting in Mitchells Plain.
Beacon Valley gang war escalates: Toddler shot and injured in crossfire
The incident happened on Tennis Road in the early hours of the morning when gunfire erupted in the area.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the child was struck while asleep in his family’s home.
A bullet pierced the wooden wall of the house and hit him in the leg.
“The father discovered that his son was wounded on his left leg after a bullet penetrated the wood. The victim was taken to a medical facility for treatment,” Twigg said.
The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.
Detectives have launched an investigation into the shooting, which is believed to be linked to ongoing gang-related violence in the area.
Ongoing violence in Mitchells Plain
The shooting adds to a spate of recent gang-related incidents in Mitchells Plain. In July 2025, five people were killed and seven others injured in a series of shootings across Beacon Valley.
At the time, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, condemned the violence and announced a 72-hour operational plan to clamp down on gangs.
The plan brought together the Anti-Gang Unit, Tactical Response Team, Crime Intelligence, and nearly 60 additional officers from the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), Metro Police Tactical Response Unit, and Traffic Services.
Marais urged the public to support the police by sharing any information that could assist in apprehending those behind the attacks.
“I commend the South African Police Service and the City of Cape Town for their swift and coordinated response. I urge them to use every resource available to apprehend those responsible for terrorising our communities,”she said.
The young boy remains in hospital, and police have yet to confirm any arrests.
Authorities are appealing to the public to come forward with information that could help solve the case. All details provided to police will remain confidential.