A two-year-old toddler from Bonteheuwel and his father died tragically in a shooting on Wednesday night.
Hartseer relatives and neighbours gathered at the home of Moegammad Amien Johnson, 31, on Thursday as news spread that his son, Zhazaurio Pallas, had died in Red Cross Hospital.
Sister Rishqah, 21, says Johnson, his girlfriend and son were walking to a huiswinkel in Bonteheuwel Avenue just after 7pm when a VW Polo stopped next to them and two men pointed a gun at him.
She says her brother, who worked as a taxi guard from the age of 17, begged the gunmen not to shoot.
SLAIN: Moegammad Amien Johnson, 31, and Zhazaurio, 2
“We were at home when we heard a whole lot of shots going off and someone came to tell us that my brother was shot,” says Rishqah.
Mom Shariefa, 49, says Johnson ran with his son into the yard of a neighbour’s home.
“He ran into the yard and he lay over the child to protect him from the bullets, but they shot and killed him.”
Johnson was declared dead on the scene while Zhazaurio was rushed to Vanguard Day Hospital.
“They told us he did not make it and kept losing consciousness,” says Shariefa.
“We are very hartseer. My son has been working on the taxis since he was 17 and was not a gangster so we don’t understand why he was shot. We will bury them together.”
GRIEF: Shariefa Johnson
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa says Bishop Lavis SAPS are working hard to track the two as yet unidentified killers.
No arrests have been made yet.
Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz condemned the shooting and has called on police to leave no stone unturned in their investigation.
“Since the weekend, we have seen a spike in alleged gang-related shootings within Manenberg, Lentegeur, Bonteheuwel, Beacon Valley, Lavender Hill, amongst others,” he says.
CRIME SCENE: Police in Bonteheuwel
“There have been numerous incidents in which children have been affected by the renewed violence that has broken out.
“Gangs are taking advantage of the reduced alert level to settle scores and cause havoc.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Lorenzo Ahrendse on 079 894 1776
.