The father of the 15-year-old boy arrested for allegedly killing his ouma says the murder has left him torn between his son and late mother.
Magadien Omar, 48, says the family is “disappointed” but wants justice for his mom Ruwayda.
The 75-year-old was found stabbed to death in her Manenberg home on Sunday and the primary school boy was arrested later that day.
“I’m not angry but it’s just that it’s my mother, and it’s my son. My family are also disappointed, but we must go through it,” Magadien says.
“The family wants to know what happened, we just want answers. I have a battle to fight with my family.”
Ruwayda lived in the two-roomed house while her son and grandchildren live in the Wendy house in the backyard of her Elsieskraal Street property.
She was allegedly stabbed with a knife and was found under a pile of clothes.
Magadien says: “Nothing was taken from the house, it was just the clothes that were everywhere in the room.
“There is more to this story than this, I don’t think he (son) did this alone.
“My mom and him got along just fine and I don’t think he would do this.”
The devastated father said he missed his son’s court appearance in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court because of his mother’s janaazah.
“On Monday my son was appearing at court and I had to miss the proceedings, as I had to prepare for my mother’s burial,” he explains.
“His mother, who is no longer part of my life, was at court.”
Magadien said he questioned his son on the day of the murder.
“I am still confused because he spoke in riddles, I don’t know what to make of this,” he said.
The teen’s case was heard in camera as he is a minor.
He has been taken to a place of safety and will go for a psychiatric evaluation.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila says: “Please note that the teenager charged with murder appeared on Monday at the Athlone Magistrates’ Court.
“His case has been postponed to 23 December for bail application.”