Mitchells Plain family to lay daughter (12) to rest after she was caught in gang shooting
Firdous Kleinsmidt was struck by a gangster’s stray bullet.
The family of Firdous Kleinsmidt, who was shot and killed outside her Beacon Valley school during a gang shootout, prepare for her burial. She will be laid to rest according to Muslim burial rites. Picture: Lauren Isaacs/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Funeral preparations are underway at the family home of 12-year-old Firdous Kleinsmidt, who was shot and killed at her school in Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday.
She was struck by a gangster’s stray bullet.
Community leaders say this current gang war in Beacon Valley has been ongoing since late last year.
Viola Street in Lentegeur is filled with cars and people coming to pay their respects as Firdous Kleinsmidt's family prepares to lay her to rest later on Wednesday.
Her father, Haroon Kleinsmidt, said that he was at work when his wife called him to inform him of the shooting on Tuesday.
"She just said my daughter was shot. I came home and came to the school and saw that she passed away. There's nothing I can say to describe how we feel."
Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School has taken the decision to close its doors for the rest of the week.
Counselling has been arranged following the tragedy.
#CT_GangViolence Funeral preparations are underway at the family home of 12-year-old Firdous Kleinsmidt who was shot and killed at her school in Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain yesterday. She was struck by a gangster’s stray bullet. LI pic.twitter.com/jsqiUtk1iE
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 31, 2024
#CT_GangViolence Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School has taken the decision to close its doors for the rest of the week. Community leaders from the Cape Flats Safety Forum say the current gang war in Beacon Valley has been ongoing since late last year. LI pic.twitter.com/rlxL5MpYtA
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 31, 2024
A Mitchells Plain family is reeling following the murder of their 12-year-old daughter and sister.
Firdous Kleinsmidt was shot and killed at her school in Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain yesterday.
She was struck by a gangster’s stray bullet.
Community leaders said this current gang war in Beacon Valley has been ongoing since late last year and an operational plan should have been in place to put an end to the violence.
Firdous Kleinsmidt’s father Haroon breaks down as he describes his daughter as an amazing child.
Eyewitness News managed to speak to the heartbroken man moments before he left his home to fetch his daughter’s body at Salt River Mortuary.
He said he was at work when his wife called to inform him of the tragedy on Tuesday.
" The is nothing I can say that can describe how we feel."
Here at the family home funeral preparations are underway while loved ones trickle in to pay their respects.
Firdous will be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rights this afternoon.
A protest has also been arranged by the Cape Flats Safety Forum at Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School this afternoon.