Ditebogo Junior, a 5-year-old boy, was shot dead outside their home, after his father’s Toyota Hilux was hijacked in Soshanguve, in the north of Gauteng, South Africa.
Lt-Col Mavela Masondo, the police spokesperson, said that the child was shot dead when he came out to welcome his father, Ditebogo Phalane.
“An unconfirmed number of armed suspects allegedly hijacked the father’s White Toyota bakkie and shot the five-year-old boy who later died in hospital,” Masondo said.
Phalane’s cousin, Gift Makoti took to X to share the heartbreaking news about the boy’s passing.
“My cousin was Hijacked hours ago in Soshanguve block Uu, they took his Bakkie. He was with his son, they shot the 5-year-old boy!! He didn’t make it!! What has this country come to now!!!!!???! That’s a CHILD man!!!!!!” he wrote.
He shared photos of the young boy, Ditebogo Phalane Jnr, with his family smiling and looking happy. He said that the boy’s family was inconsolable.
“He and his son had a strong bond. His son was always out and about with him, keeping him company. I don’t know how he is going to live without his son,” he said.
