The family of a 12-year-old boy who was guarding cars outside an Elsies River mosque on Friday evening have been left traumatised after he was shot dead.
The innocent boy was seen being chased in the street by two men who gunned him down “until their guns were empty”.
More than 22 shots are reported to have been fired during the attack.
Aswin Jonas, a Grade 5 pupil at Tygersig Primary School, tried to run away when two men opened fire on him and a group of boys in Connaught Road.
The boys, aged 7 to 12 years, were guarding the cars while men were praying inside the mosque.
A witness says the boys scattered and Aswin headed to the entrance of the mosque looking for cover.
The boy was shot multiple times at close range before the shooters ran off.
VICTIM: Aswin Jonas, 12
A spokesperson for the family, Pastor Vincent Alexander, on Sunday angrily rubbished rumours that the boy had been part of a gang in the area and had been killed by rival skollies.
The pastor runs numerous intervention programmes in the community and says he knew Aswin, who had been part of his youth programme after school.
He says they believe Aswin was killed in a random gang initiation.
“The boy was innocent and neither he nor his family have any affiliations to
the gangs in this area,” says the pastor.
“This is a great tragedy especially because Aswin,
who is one of the poorer
children in our community from a very
humble family, was trying to become something.
“He worked hard and stayed away from any negativity.”
He says the vuilgat skollies targeted innocents.
Pastor Vincent Alexander spoke for the family
“From what we heard, the shooting may have been part of a gang initiation. They make these boys go out and shoot random people, as long as they kill and it’s talked about, they can join the gang.
“It’s sickening. I hope the authorities see that we are a community in crisis and step in to help.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirms: “Ravensmead police are investigating a case of murder after a shooting incident that occurred on Friday evening on the corners of Arnold and Connaught roads, Eureka Estate.
“According to reports, a 12-year-old boy was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his body and he died due to the extent of his injuries. bCircumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”