Boy, 6, shoots sister, 4, with his dad's gun
December 18, 2008 Edition 2
Mogomotsi Magome
PRETORIA: The six-year-old son of a presidential protection unit constable in Soshanguve has shot his four-year-old sister, killing her, while playing with his father's firearm.
The constable, Monnapula Leepile, said his daughter Kgalalelo, four, and his son had managed to reach his privately owned gun while they were playing in the house.
His son pulled the trigger, wounding Kgalalelo in the stomach. She died at a clinic.
He said the adults at home at that time had not noticed where the children were.
"I was on duty at the Union Buildings when I received a call from one of my neighbours."
Leepile said he kept the gun loaded with a single bullet in the chamber to ensure it was ready to use if his family were threatened. He has a second, official firearm.
He said, as a policeman, he was aware that he would face charges for negligence and go through disciplinary processes.
"I am a man of the law and I know they (the children) were not supposed to reach that gun, but I have just lost my daughter and there cannot be worse punishment than that. I am heartbroken and right now my mind is not working straight."
His son did not realise how serious the situation was.
He would take him for counselling.
"The last thing I want to do is to devastate him. The priority right now is to get him counselling and help him through this."
"As a policeman, I work hard and when things like this happen one realises that tragedy can hit anyone."
Police spokesperson Solly Marindi said a case of culpable homicide would be opened against the little boy and the father would be investigated on a charge of negligence.
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