A break-in gone wrong ended the life of Tafelsig resident Marvin Slyters, 31, who was shot and killed at his house in Slangkop Street during the early hours of Friday.
Marvin was allegedly woken up at 3.30am when he heard his sister-in-law screaming. According to his father, Jacob, he immediately went to see if she was fine, and that is when he saw that there were intruders inside the house.
“They then ran when they saw him and jumped through the window. One turned back and killed Marvin,” he said.
Jacob said there were no neighbourhood watch groups or street committees in the area - which is a huge concern. “Before we had active groups, but now we have nothing. Men and women, let us stand together and fight against crime, it is our community we need to take action,” he said.
Marvin was a wonderful young man who was loved by many, says his grieving father.
“Our family is extremely sad about Marvin’s death,especially the way he died, through crime. He was a blessing to us, a loving son, in fact, my only son,” he said.
The Mitchells' Plain Crisis Forum held a prayer service and memorial service in front of the house with the family and residents on Friday , and an anti-crime march on Saturday.
Speaking at the prayer service, Ursula Peters, from Minifootsteps in Tafelsig, said: “Enough with the senseless killings. We need the community to take crime seriously. It is sad to see that you can’t be safe in your own home anymore. So, it is time to stand up and take our streets back, not later but now,” she said.
Mitchells Plain police spokesperson Captain Ian Williams said Marvin’s body had been found at the front door of the house. “He was shot in the chest and on the right side of his body.”
Captain Williams said no one had been arrested but police were investigating a case of murder.
Ashley Potts, deputy chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF), said he would be looking into setting up block and street committees in the area.
“We are calling on residents to step up and be part of the committees. You too need to play your part in preventing crime. You need to be the eyes and ears of the police, and report it,” he said.
Anyone with information about the incident can call investigating officer Detective Sergeant Errol Bedford of the Mitchells' Plain Serious and Violent Crime Unit on 082 777 8076.