Tragic Accident in Thabazimbi: 11-Year-Old Boy Accidentally Shoots Farm Worker, Father Arrested

A peaceful afternoon at a Limpopo farm turned into a devastating tragedy when an 11-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed a farm worker while handling a firearm. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, 11 October 2025, at a farm in Thabazimbi, has left the community in shock and raised renewed concerns over firearm safety and responsible gun ownership.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Thabazimbi, officers responded to reports of a shooting at around 17:45. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of a male farm worker, believed to be in his 20s, lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the upper left chest. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but the victim was declared dead upon their arrival.

Early investigations revealed that the young boy had been shooting at guinea fowls when the firearm discharged, fatally wounding the worker. The weapon and cartridge were seized by police for forensic examination. The boy’s father, a 43-year-old farm resident, was immediately arrested and charged with the negligent handling of a firearm.

Police confirmed that both the child and his father are expected to appear before the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 October 2025. The father faces charges related to the improper storage and supervision of the weapon, while the child’s case will be handled with sensitivity due to his age.

Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing the importance of firearm safety, especially in homes where children are present. “This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the need for responsible gun ownership and strict firearm storage practices,” she said. Hadebe further urged gun owners to ensure that weapons are kept securely and out of the reach of minors at all times.

This heartbreaking case adds to a growing list of fatal shootings across South Africa in recent months. In separate incidents, several people lost their lives to gun violence, underscoring the country’s ongoing struggle with firearm-related deaths.

In May 2025, a police constable and a woman were gunned down outside a mosque in Athlone, Cape Town, by two armed men. The same month, two elderly sisters, aged 75 and 85, were shot dead in their sleep in Alice, Eastern Cape, when intruders broke into their home. Earlier in April, a Soweto barbershop owner witnessed the shocking murder of a taxi boss who was executed in his chair by three gunmen.

Authorities continue to call for stronger measures to curb gun misuse and ensure that firearms do not end up in the wrong hands. Communities, too, are being urged to promote firearm education and safety awareness.

As investigations continue in Thabazimbi, the small farming community remains in mourning. What was meant to be an innocent afternoon of bird hunting has become a lifelong tragedy — one that has taken a man’s life and changed a family forever.