Arrest made in the murder of 14-year-old Alnika Mitchell amid rising gang violence
A 35-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Alnika “Nika” Mitchell
Image: Supplied
A breakthrough has been made in the murder of 14-year-old Alnika “Nika” Mitchell, the Kensington teen whose death over the weekend stunned her community and reignited fears about escalating gang violence on the Cape Flats.
On Monday afternoon, police arrested a 35-year-old suspect linked to the shooting.
SAPS spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said that Kensington SAPS conducted an intelligence driven operation in the squatter camp, in Royal Road, Maitland. “A 35-year-old male was arrested for the shooting incident that occurred over the past weekend. He will face charges of murder (where a 14-year-old girl was shot and fatally wounded), and attempted murder (where a male was shot in the arm). He will make his first appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Wednesday for the mentioned charges.”
Saturday’s shooting unfolded as residents gathered to watch local matric farewells. Relatives told the Cape Argus that Alnika had been sitting outside her Lugmag Street home with friends when gunfire erupted. She was struck by a stray bullet and collapsed while trying to run for help.
Her grandmother described, in graphic detail, how she chased after the gunman in panic. Her father said he kept his children indoors to shield them from street violence, never imagining his daughter would be caught in the crossfire outside their own home.
Police earlier confirmed that the suspect had opened fire on a silver Volkswagen Polo and the victims were caught in the crossfire before the gunman fled.
The community reacted with shock. A prayer service was held hours later, where residents vowed not to surrender their streets to gangsters. Local leaders condemned the wave of shootings that has claimed multiple young lives in recent weeks.
While Monday’s arrest brings some relief, families say the trauma lingers — and the violence continues to cast a long shadow over Kensington and surrounding communities.
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Cape Argus