A Hanover Park crime fighter is in shock after the sister of her son’s killer apologised for his cold-blooded murder on Saturday afternoon.
The heartbroken family of Faghmie Valentine, 21, are pleading with their community to come forward with information about the mysterious attack in St Lucia Court which left the young man with two bullets in his head and various valuables missing.
Faghmie’s mother, who is also the chairperson of the Blomvlei Neighbourhood Watch, Sadeeka Valentine, 40, fainted when residents told her the news.
The mom said on Sunday Faghmie left home with his cousin earlier in the afternoon to visit the sister of the alleged killer, known as “Dood”.
“He was supposed to go to Kensington,” says Sadeeka.
HARTSEER: Sadeeka Valentine, 40, of H.Park
“I just went for a walk to the terminus and left my phone at home. The one day I left my phone at home and was not on the chat groups, it was my son.
“I spoke to a lady I know from St Lucia and she told me she heard someone was shot. I still told her to go home and check that her children are safe.
“As I was walking home, they came to tell me and I just felt my legs give in.”
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut, confirms the incident and says no arrests have been made.
According to a police source, when officers arrived at the scene, they were left confused as to a possible motive as Faghmie’s shoes, chains, money and one earring had been removed.
“They took his stuff but it also looked like a hit, so the motive is not clear,” says the source.
“The Anti-Gang Unit was called in after residents named a skollie known as ‘Dood’ as the shooter.
“According to residents, he is a member of the Dollar Kidz gang who is wanted on several cases.”
Sadeeka says the suspected shooter’s sister came up to her and asked for forgiveness.
“I saw his shoes were off and his cellphone was recovered from a gangster,” the heartbroken mom says.
“Dood’s sister was in the house when the shooting happened and came to say sorry and ask for forgiveness, but we don’t even know why my son was shot.
“He was not involved with gangsters, he just did painting jobs. So we are appealing for information from the community about why this happened.
“I have given all my time as a volunteer to keep the community safe and now my child dies like this,” she adds.
Mayor Dan Plato visited the family home yesterday to express his condolences.
Faghmie’s janaazah was held on Sunday and he was laid to rest at Klip Road Cemetery.