A 2-year-old child is recovering in the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital after she and a teenager were caught in the crossfire during a shootout between gangs in Manenberg, South Africa, it was gathered.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said a case of attempted murder was being investigated after the child was shot on Wednesday about 9.30am.

“According to reports, a 22-month-old baby and a 19-year-old man were wounded by a stray bullet inside their residence,” said Rwexana.

Detectives were following up possible leads in order to arrest the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched a probe into the shooting of two men in Manenberg Avenue yesterday.

Rwexana said: “This office is aware of the shooting incident. Two men in their twenties were shot and wounded.”

IPID spokesperson Moses Dlamini said: “IPID received a report from the South African Police Service alleging that police responded to a gang-related issue and on arrival at the scene, gangsters fired at the police and police returned fire and, in the crossfire,, two people were injured. It is unknown who shot them.

“Police allege the two people who were shot were part of the group that attacked the police.”

Anyone with information about the incidents can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.