Suspect vas in killing of 11-year-old Esmine Franke

POLICE have arrested a man allegedly found in possession of a firearm suspected to be used in the killing of an 11-year-old girl in Kraaifontein.

Esmine Franke was playing with her eight-year-old friend, when unknown gunmen opened fire at a suspected gang rival and the schoolgirl was hit by a stray bullet on Tuesday night.

An eight-year-old girl was also shot in the back and is receiving treatment at Tygerberg Hospital, while a 19-year-old man was wounded in his legs.

Police said: “On 20 August 2025, members received information that the firearm used in this incident was stored on a premises in Mapongwana Street, Wallacedene.

"They operationalised the information and searched the identified premises where they confiscated a 9mm pistol with serial number removed and 11 rounds of ammunition. A 26-year-old male was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

Devastated aunt Shahieda Franke explained incident, saying: "We were at home when we heard the gunshots, when we went out, there was no one. Someone called and said I must go and see her; she had been hit.

"She was still alive, she couldn't talk, she squeezed my hand. When the ambulance got here, they treated my brother who was hit in the legs, and then they realised that Esmine was no longer alive.

"They were sitting outside, and then a boy who is a gangster walked, and they came after him, and they didn't hit him at all."