A Lavender Hill family is begging for help to move out of the home where their five-year-old son was killed, saying the trauma of living in a crime scene is unbearable.
The heartbroken parents of Valentino Grootetjie say they cannot face one more day in their Drury Court home as they pass the spot where his lifeless body was found.
The boy was hailed a hero when he saved his three-year-old brother, Sanrico, from gang bullets.
Valentino was struck in the head by a stray bullet and died.
HEROIC: Valentino Grootetjie
The Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) arrested Carlo Hofmeester and Chadwin Isaacs several days later and the duo appeared in Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on murder charges.
Dad Patrick Kotze, 34, says last week detectives visited the family and informed them a third suspect, John Dickson, had been arrested for allegedly handing the guns to the shooters.
“We were happy to hear that the trial will be heard at the Cape High Court on 16 October so we can get justice for our son.”
SCENE: Little Valentino’s body was found outside his home
Meanwhile, mom Romana Grootetjie, 33, says she has been suffering for the past five months as she struggles with his death.
“We wanted to move out of Lavender Hill because I can’t stand being here,” she says. “Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day was hell for me.
“Every year on those two days, Tino would pluk flowers from the veldjie.
“But now when I walk out of my door, I see the place where he died.
“It’s like we are living in a crime scene.
“When he died, lots of people came out and said they would support us, but everyone forgot about us.
“There is one community worker who helps us with food, but we didn’t get counselling or anything.”
LIVING NIGHTMARE: Couple lives in Drury Court, Lavender Hill
Patrick says prior to the lockdown, the family scraped together the little money they had and planned to move to a relative’s home in Atlantis.
“Then the lockdown started and we were told we need a permit to move more than 5km.
“We are just appealing for help from anyone who can help us get a permit and transport to leave this place.”