A Cape Flats community is baying for blood after a well-known gospel singer was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Nooitgedaght, Bishop Lavis, which killed three men.
Wilton Fredericks, 31, and two other men were standing next to a white Chevrolet bakkie in Ferel Street on Saturday at 3pm when two vehicles drove past and open fired on them.
Wilton is the son of legendary Cape Flats gospel singer, Pastor Wilmot Fredericks.
His entire family - dad Wilmot, brother Byron Levi and mom Dolly - are singers.
According to a witness, the gunmen are from Valhalla Park, but this could not be confirmed by police.
Wilton’s two childhood friends, Martin Andrews and Carl Arries, died on the scene while Wilton was rushed to hospital.
Unfortunately the unmarried father of three died due to the extent of his injuries.
Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the shooting.
“Three victims were shot while standing outside. Two died on the scene and the other one died in hospital,” she says.
“Murder dockets have been opened and are under investigation. No arrests have been made yet.”
The death of Wilton, also a renowned gospel singer, has left his community of Bishop Lavis shocked and angered.
Robert Brown, Community Empowerment and Development chairman in Bishop Lavis, says the killing was senseless.
“One cannot describe how the community is feeling. Innocent lives are taken away so abruptly,” says Brown.
“The whole community came out on Saturday to the crime scene and the look of anger and sadness was
visible.
“Our community is angry, they are baying for blood.
“Everyone is deeply saddened, especially by the death of Wilton who was one of Cape Town’s top gospel musicians.
Pastor Fredericks says they have no idea why his son was killed.
“We as a family are struggling but there are a lot of people phoning, popping in supporting us... our main support comes from God. However, we are crying buckets of tears,” says the pastor.
He says Wilton, of the Christian Explainers Church in Delft, was due to perform with him and his brother at a Father’s Day service at the Victory Outreach Church in Goodwood yesterday, as well as at a benefit concert for the family of late singer Ricardo Groenewald in
Athlone last night.
“I was going to sing alongside my sons, since it is Father’s Day. It would have been extremely special singing together,” the dad says.