The heartbroken family of a Lotus River mother who was shot by evil skollies say they now have the task of raising her two children.
On Sunday, the boyfriend of Liezel Smith, 27, was trying to feed their one-month-old son with a bottle as the infant cried for his mom’s breast.
Liezel died after being caught in a gang fight on Sunday which left her bleeding to death in the street.
Ramsey Arendse also cried as he tried to calm their baby boy.
“We are trying to feed him with a bottle but he is still breastfeeding so he is looking for his mother,” the dad said.
Liezel’s mother says she watched helplessly as her daughter said goodbye to her one-month-old son, Rogan-Lee, and five-year-old daughter Leah.
Ouma Amanda, 45, says the family is still in shock after seeing the life leave her daughter’s once sparkling eyes in Second Avenue during the early hours of Sunday morning after two rival gangs opened fire on each other.
Ouma Amanda has the task of raising Liezel’s children. Picture: Monique Duval
“She and her friends were here in front of the house in Duiker Avenue when the two groups started arguing with each other,” says Amanda.
“All we know is someone was stabbed and she went to Second Avenue and then the shots went off.”
Amanda says shortly after midnight, she ran to the scene and found Liezel with gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.
“She was lying there and I went to her and told her here is Rogan and Leah and she must fight,” says a hartseer Amanda.
“She couldn’t say anything but she said goodbye to them with her eyes and told me with her eyes that I must look after them.
“She couldn’t talk but I could feel what she was trying to say. Liezel was a very happy person so to see her die like that is too much.”
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut, says the gunmen fled the scene: “She was allegedly caught in the crossfire of rival gangs. No one has been arrested as yet.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut. File image
Liezel’s family home in Duiker Avenue was filled with angry and heartbroken residents who called the shooter a coward.
Ramsey says he was going to marry his girlfriend later this year.
“I am very heartsore, we were going to get married at court in November, on her birthday. We are together for 10 years already.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Grassy Park police on 021 700 3900.