Gloria Motsoere12 May 2024 | 10:09

Police hunting suspects who killed boy during Soshanguve hijacking

It’s understood the child ran outside his family home to welcome his father at the gate when alleged hijackers pounced.

Police hunting suspects who killed boy during Soshanguve hijacking

Picture: @SAPoliceService/X

JOHANNESBURG - Police are on the hunt for an unknown number of suspects who killed a five-year-old boy during a hijacking incident in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, on Friday night.

It’s understood the child ran outside his family home to welcome his father at the gate when the alleged hijackers pounced.

The suspects shot little Ditebogo Junior Phalane before making off with his father's car.

He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his gunshot wound.

"An unconfirmed number of armed suspects allegedly hijacked the father of his bakkie and shot the five-year-old boy, who later died in hospital,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo.

"The lookout is underway for the suspects, and police have opened a case of murder and hijacking for further investigation."