Neighbour's child killed in domestic row

A Pretoria man has accidentally shot and killed his neighbour's seven-year-old daughter, allegedly while trying to murder his fleeing wife.

Ntabiseng Mmapako Ramoroka was shot while asleep in her parents' Mamelodi East shack early yesterday morning as her father tried to disarm a neighbour.

The man, who has been charged with murder and attempted murder, reportedly forced his way into the Ramoroka home, in which his wife had taken refuge.

The couple had been arguing in their shack when the woman fled to Ntabiseng's parents for help.

A police spokesman, Captain Johannes Maheso, said the gunman forced his way into the shack despite Ntabiseng's father's attempts to keep him out.

Said Maheso: "The girl's parents tried to defuse the situation and calm the couple down, but the man pulled out a pistol and started shooting.

"He tried to shoot his wife, but missed. The bullet passed through the wall the little girl was sleeping behind, killing her."

He said the man was arrested and would appear in court soon.

• A Parkhurst, Johannesburg, businessman, Gabriel da Silva, fatally shot his wife, Lana Pereira Marques, in the suburb's police station earlier this week after an argument.

The police had taken them to the police station from their home after receiving reports of a domestic dispute.

The cause of the dispute is unknown.