KATLEHONG MASS SHOOTING: Girl, 11, who survived mass shooting still has bullet lodged near her spine
When a gunman opened fire on ANC Youth League members in Katlehong, killing four people, an 11-year-old girl buying sweets was among the surviving victims.
On Tuesday, 13 October 2026, a gunman opened fire on ANC Youth League members during a memorial in Katlehong, resulting in the deaths of four people. An 11-year-old girl, Grace Ndlovu, survived the shooting while purchasing sweets from a nearby spaza shop. The incident left her with a bullet lodged near her spine, causing her significant pain but permitting her to return home.
Her grandmother, Queen Mkhonto, reported that the wound has not yet been addressed for removal by medical professionals due to its complex nature. Four others were wounded during the shooting, with two fatalities occurring on the scene and two succumbing to their injuries later in the hospital. The suspect, identified as Fani John Sibeko, 46, was arrested shortly after the incident and is facing nine criminal charges, including murder.
He appeared in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026, and his bail application is set for Thursday, 22 October. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but community members speculate that it might have been politically motivated.
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