A six-year-old girl was shot in the head in Valhalla Park on Thursday morning after being caught in alleged gang crossfire on the Cape Flats. Police said the shooting happened in Eleanor Street at about 9.20am. The child was rushed to a medical facility for treatment.

Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said officers arrived on the scene and found the young victim with a gunshot wound to the head. Police said early reports indicate rival gangs opened fire before fleeing the area. Bishop Lavis detectives are now investigating a case of attempted murder.

Violence Continues Despite SANDF Deployment

The shooting comes even as the South African National Defence Force remains deployed on the Cape Flats to help curb gang violence. Yet the latest incident shows how deeply rooted the violence remains in some communities, where children are still being caught in the line of fire.

Police have confirmed the Valhalla Park shooting is gang-related. No arrests had been made at the time of publication, and investigators said they are following up on all leads to track down those responsible.

The latest shootings have again put the spotlight on the human cost of gang violence on the Cape Flats, where families are being forced to live with fear as gunfire continues to tear through communities.