A 12-year-old boy may never walk again while a dad of three is dead following gang shootouts in Blikkiesdorp, Delft.
André Michaels may never have a normal life again after gangsters shot him while he played outside his home.
One of the boy’s lungs has collapsed, leading to an infection in his spine, and doctors are now fighting to keep him from being permanently paralysed.
Three years ago, André’s family moved from a squatter camp in Walmer Estate to Blikkiesdorp “for better prospects”.
But the boy’s heartbroken father, Marius Jantjies, 42, says life in Blikkiesdorp has only brought them hardship.
André had been playing outside while Marius was cleaning his front yard in O Block on Friday when a single gunshot rang out.
Community leaders, who asked not to be identified, say it is believed the bullet that hit André came from the gun of a gangster who had been playing with it.
Battling against paralysis, André Michaels, 12. Picture supplied
Residents claim since January, more than 60 people have died due to gang violence in Blikkiesdorp.
Marius says his son is in a critical condition in hospital and they fear for his life.
“We moved from an informal settlement in Walmer Estate three years ago and they said we would get proper housing and this is where they placed us,” explains Marius.
“On Friday, while I was busy cleaning the yard, we just heard the gunshot go off and someone said a child had been shot. Then I heard it is André who was shot.
“He was shot in the shoulder and his left lung has collapsed and there is an infection in his spine.
“The doctors have said there is swelling on the spine and he is not able to walk properly yet, so we do not know if this will leave him paralysed or not.
“All I can say is that my child’s future will never be the same again,” the father says.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirms a case of attempted murder has been opened, but no arrests have been made.
Marius Jansen fears that his child may never walk again. Picture: Jack Lestrade
On the same day, just after 10pm, while Imeraan Pillay, 26, was lying in bed in one room and his wife and three children in the other, gunmen stormed into their hokkie in R Block and started klapping skote.
The dad was hit seven times and died on the scene.
His 35-year-old wife, who asked not to be identified, explains: “These three men came in while Imeraan was lying in bed and then we just heard gunshots. He was shot seven times.
“My family and I are leaving Blikkiesdorp now. He wasn’t a gangster and I cannot tell you why they shot him.”
Police spokesman, Sergeant George Mjiwu, says cops are investigating a case of murder. No arrests were made.