Free State – A man has been arrested and charged with murder after a 12-year-old girl was fatally shot during a hunting expedition on a farm near Ficksburg in the Free State.
According to the South African Police Service, the incident occurred on the morning of Friday, 29 May 2026, at Franshoek Farm near Ficksburg.
Police said the girl, who was from Krugersdorp, was accompanying her father and the suspect during a hunting outing when the firearm was allegedly discharged.
“It is alleged that on the morning of Friday, 29 May 2026, the deceased’s father and the suspect were hunting on the farm when the suspect allegedly accidentally discharged a firearm, fatally wounding the 12-year-old girl,” SAPS said in a statement.
The child was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment but was declared dead on arrival at about 9am.
Hospital personnel reported the incident to police, prompting the opening of a murder case.
As part of the investigation, police confiscated all firearms belonging to the suspect for forensic ballistic testing.
“The incident was reported to the police by hospital personnel. A case of murder was subsequently registered, and all firearms belonging to the suspect were confiscated for further forensic ballistic testing as part of the ongoing investigation,” SAPS said.
The suspect was arrested and charged with murder and is expected to appear before the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting are continuing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
