The family of a young pregnant woman are devastated after she was shot in the head and killed while taking down the washing.
Tasneem Simons, 22, of Manenberg, was alive for a few minutes, but as she lay in the road waiting for paramedics to arrive, she died with her mother praying over her.
Her heartbroken mom, Jasmine Simons, says her daughter was three months pregnant with her first child.
According to witnesses, a group of gangsters had walked to the corner of Gamtoos and Duinefontein roads and one of them opened fire on a rival skollie standing on the other side of the road.
Tasneem was standing between them while taking down the laundry.
Tasneem was standing between the shooting gangs while taking down the laundry. Picture supplied
She was struck in the head when the intended target returned fire.
Jasmine says she was traumatised as she watched the life bleed from her daughter, and stayed with her till the end.
The emotional mother of two says she was shattered and cried uncontrollably as her other daughter, Firdous, stood by her.
“She went to go take off the washing and was shot when the two guys shot at each other,” Jasmine says.
“One came in the road and was hiding behind a tree and shot at the other guy in the road.
“When that guy shot back, he hit Tasneem in the head and she died.”
Jasmine Simons stands over her pregnant daughter's dead body where she was shot in Manenberg. Picture: Leon Knipe
Community members tell the Daily Voice they recognised the man who killed Tasneem.
He ran away, but they alerted cops who went in search of him but could not find him.
According to one resident, the killer’s mother has vowed to get him to hand himself in.
Jasmine consoled by a family member. Picture: Leon Knipe
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, says no arrests have been made yet. “The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident (on Monday) about 3.20pm at Gamtoos Road, Manenberg, where a 22-year-old woman was shot and fatally wounded is under investigation.
“A murder case was registered for investigation. According to reports the victim was standing outside with friends when a shooting broke out in the area between rival gangs.
“She was struck in the head by a stray bullet. She died on the scene.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or Manenberg SAPS.
Police looking for the shooter. Picture: Leon Knipe
saafia.february@inl.co.za