11-Year-Old Girl Killed As Police Van Crashes Into Wendy House In Delft

Delft South in Western Cape was shaken on Saturday evening when an 11-year-old girl, Namhla Nondala, tragically lost her life after a marked police van collided with a wendy house where she and two other girls were playing.

The accident reportedly occurred around 6:30 pm on Sandlehout Street as three Delft SAPS officers were responding to a complaint.

According to IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping, the police vehicle swerved to avoid an oncoming taxi and struck the wendy house and the children nearby.

Namhla died at the scene, while the two other girls, aged 10, were rushed to hospital. One has since been discharged after sustaining a broken limb, while the other remains on life support.

Shuping added that the community reacted angrily, allegedly confronting the officers and setting the police bakkie alight. IPID has taken control of the scene and is investigating the incident as a case of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.

Support and Condolences

The tragedy drew swift attention from political and community leaders. Alliance of Citizens for Change president Masizole Mnqasela visited the grieving family, describing their heartbreak: “They will never hold her again, they will never hug her again, they will never tell her how much they love her. She is gone for good, and the pain is visible in their every gesture and word.”

Mnqasela also condemned the violent retaliation against the police, while highlighting plans to take legal action on behalf of the families of the three girls.

Western Cape Provincial Minister of Police

Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, extended her condolences to the family and appealed for calm. “I urge communities not to take the law into their own hands or destroy vital state resources in moments of frustration, as such actions undermine policing efforts in areas already struggling with high levels of violent crime,” Marais said.

Mnqasela further called on members of the public who wish to assist the family, who reportedly lost their home, to deliver donations to Delft SAPS, addressed to Station Commander Brigadier Sihlali.

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