An 11-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet after gunmen fired bullets at a funeral of a man who was a gangster in Eastern Cape, South Africa on Saturday.

According to a police statement, the incident happened during the “after-tears” gathering event held for Siyamthanda “Ncuncu” Ndema, 28, who was murdered on January 7 at around 01:15 at Gqalane’s tavern in Kwazakele.

The funeral started at 07:00 at the victim’s home in Makhubalo Street in Kwazakele and ended just before 13:30 at the cemetery in Motherwell.

According to News24, Many of the funeral-goers returned to Makhubalo Street where people gathered in the street. The spinning of vehicles then took place in the tightly packed street.

Motherwell cluster commander Major General Dawie Rabie confirmed that the SAPS policed the funeral and procession until the cemetery, and that various vehicles and persons were searched. Except for a few minor traffic violations, no serious incidents took place.

“A crowd was gathering afterwards at Makhubalo Street, where general lawless behaviour took place, which included spinning of vehicles and the firing of firearms within that close ranges of the crowd,” Rabie said.

“These persons did not even run away while the shots were being fired.

“Unfortunately an 11-year-old boy, Mbaza Dlamini, died in the process.”

Rabie expressed his disappointment in certain community members who attend so-called “after-tears” parties for amaGintsa gangsters, where illegal “spinning” of motor vehicles and firing of guns take place.

“It appears that certain community members worship these gangsters as heroes,” he added.

Rabie has instructed a full probe to be conducted into this funeral practice and called for a proper investigation into the murder of the boy.