Tears flowed in Manenberg on Wednesday after an innocent dad was gunned down in the street while looking for work.
Residents are shocked after Sebastian Wilson, 36, was killed on the corner of Manenberg Avenue and Red River Walk at 5.40am.
His girlfriend Irene Petersen, 33, could not believe her eyes when the partially-sighted cleaner known as “Bessie” was declared dead on the scene just metres from his home.
She says she was woken up by the gunshots: “I was asleep at home when I heard the skote, but it sounded far away.”
“My niece came to wake me up saying Bessie was shot. I ran to him but when we got to the corner, they started shooting at us and we had to run away.
“I ran to his sister to tell her what happened. Bessie died on the scene because they shot him six times.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana says Manenberg SAPS have opened a murder case and no arrests have been made yet.
“According to reports, the victim, aged 36, was shot several times and died on the scene due to his injuries. Police detectives are pursuing the suspect with no arrests as yet.”
Residents say the man, who was known for helping pensioners and sweeping his own street each day, would stand on the corner each morning hoping to find someone who would provide him with work for the day so he could provide for his family.
A 60-year-old ouma, who asked not to be named, called the skollies “cowards who shot an innocent man for no reason.”
“They are cowards, man! They know Bessie and they know he is not a gangster and never walked around with a gun, but they shoot him like that.”
On Wednesday residents erected a cross at the scene and held a prayer service for Bessie.
Irene says: “We have three children together and he worked as a cleaner all the years. A few years ago he got injured at work and was blinded in one eye.
“He was going to apply for a disability grant, but he did lots of odd jobs cleaning for people or walking to the shop for pensioners so he could earn something for us.
“He loved his children and I am going to miss him.”