Cape Town - Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of mom Mishkah Hendricks.
The 21-year-old woman was killed during a gang shooting while pushing her six-month-old baby in his pram in the Manenberg street where she lived.
A 34-year-old man, Alex Prins, made a brief appearance at the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Monday on a charge of murder.
Prosecutors are set to prove that Prins shot and killed Mishkah on Saturday in Rio Grande Street.
The stretch of road is believed to be the battleground of rival gangs.
The young mother was walking with her son in his pram and was accompanied by her 13- and 16-year-old siblings when gunshots rang out just after 8am.
The brave mom pushed the pram aside to prevent her son from being shot.
Her friend, 25, says as they waited for the ambulance to arrive, Mishkah kept calling out for her baby son.
Mishkah, who worked at a clothing factory, had been on her way to Cape Town to the bank when her life was snuffed out.
The young woman was hit in the back and was rushed to hospital where she died.
Relatives say the bullet damaged a main artery, her spine and lungs.
Manenberg Police spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett, confirms a suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting: “A 34-year-old male has been arrested for the murder and has appeared in court."
“The investigation continues.”
Mishkah’s aunt, Charlotte Hendricks, 55, says they will petition for bail to be denied for Prins.
The family was in court on Monday when Prins appeared.
Charlotte says the suspect is not known to the family.
“He is applying for bail on March 27, but I will not allow that. We are drawing up a petition,” she says.
“We do not know the man; it’s the first time we see him."
“He showed no emotion when he took the stand. He showed no remorse for what he did."
“Many of his friends and family filled the court, but we are not afraid of them as a family."
“We want justice for Mishkah.”