11-year-old girl killed after police van crashes into shack in Delft, community go on the attack
An 11-year-old girl was killed and two other children injured when a police vehicle crashed into a shack in Delft, Cape Town, on Saturday evening.
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the tragic incident occurred at around 6.30pm on October 4, 2025, when three SAPS members from Delft police station were responding to a complaint of a murder in progress.
“It is alleged that on 4/10/2025 at around 18h30, three SAPS members from Delft SAPS were driving a marked police vehicle on route to attend a complaint of murder in progress,” said IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping.
While travelling down Sandlehout Street, a taxi reportedly came from the opposite direction towards the police vehicle.
“The driver of the police vehicle allegedly swerved out of the way of the taxi and drove into a wendy house in the same street, and into three children who were playing next to the wendy house,” Shuping said.
The 11-year-old girl died at the scene, while the two other children, both aged 10, were taken to hospital for treatment.
Following the crash, the community allegedly attacked the police officers and set the police bakkie alight.
“IPID took control of the crime scene after the situation was normalised and the community calmed down,” Shuping added.
The body of the deceased girl was taken to Tygerberg Mortuary.
IPID has confirmed that it will be investigating a case of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving under Delft CAS 166/10/2025.
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