Three people, including a 4-year-old boy, have been shot dead in Delft in an apparent gang war raging in the area.
|||Cape Town - Three people, including a 4-year-old boy, have been shot dead in Delft in an apparent gang war raging in the area.
By late Monday, at least five people had been shot, three fatally, since the weekend.
The little boy, who has not yet been identified, was shot in the stomach near Delft Main Road and died in hospital on Sunday.
On Monday morning, two teenage boys were shot outside their homes in Schubert Street, Delft.
According to a family friend and community worker, Nolene Botsheleng, Marko Adonis, 19, an alleged member of the Terrible Josters, was shot dead while returning from the shops.
“His mother had sent him to buy airtime.
“He was shot in an alleyway, “said Botsheleng.
Mogamat Yaseem Madatt, 17, allegedly part of the same gang, was also shot outside his house when he went to check on his friend.
“After Marko’s death, Mogamat went to find Marko and was shot dead,” added Botsheleng.
When asked to speak about the death of her son, Adonis’s mother refused to speak to the media.
Mogamat’s mother, Farieda Madatt, 45, who did not live with her son, found out about the incident while she was at work.
“Mogamat’s sister called me and told me to come to Delft immediately. I instantly knew that my son was shot, but I thought that he would be okay,” Farieda said, while trying to hold back her tears.
She had last seen her son last Thursday.
Feizel Madatt, Mogamat’s father, had warned his son on numerous occasions to get out of the gang life.
“I think he joined the gang three months ago and I always told him about the dangers of being in a gang.
"I am very heartbroken and it is not right for a parent to bury their son, our children need to bury us,” he said.
Police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed Monday's shootings in Schubert Street.
“According to information police attended to the scene and found bodies of men aged 17 and 19 with gunshot wounds.
"Cases of murder are under investigation, no one has been arrested,” Rwexana said.
She further urged the public to come forth with any information that could assist with the investigation.
Rwexana also confirmed the other shootings which occurred on Sunday, where the four-year-old boy was killed.
“According to information, police attended to the complaint and upon arrival found a four-year-old boy with gunshot wound to his stomach. The child later died in hospital due to his injuries,” said Rwexana.
The shootings, which took place on Delft Main Road, had left two men wounded.
“Cases of murder and attempted murder are under investigation.
"No one has been arrested at this stage,” added Rwexana.
leletu.gxuluwe@inl.co.za
Cape Argus