The five-year-old boy who died a hero after saving his little brother during a gang shooting has been laid to rest.
Valentino Grootetjie was buried on Saturday, a week after he was shot in the backyard of his Lavender Hill home.
On Friday, Chadwin Isaacs and Ricardo Hoffmeester, who were arrested for Valentino’s murder, appeared at the
Wynberg Magistrates’ Court.
KILLED: Valentino Gootetjie, 5
The men face one count of murder and another of attempted murder in connection with the shooting of a 22-year-old man during the same attack.
Valentino was killed while running to protect his two-year-old brother, whom he pushed out of the line of fire at their Drury Court home.
The two accused are expected back in court on January 23 for a bail application.
Valentino’s funeral service took place at the Levana Primary School in Lavender Hill, and was attended by Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato and national Police Minister Bheki Cele.
SOLEMN: Bheki Cele, Dan Plato at the funeral service. Picture: Leon Knipe
Emotions were high as his tiny white coffin was carried into the hall surrounded by his little friends and family, who were inconsolable.
There was not a dry eye in the packed hall as Valentino’s cousins sang an Afrikaans koortjie called Dis so hartseer om totsiens te sê.
His bereaved aunt, Chrystal Joseph, says the family is taking it one day at a time, but his mother, Ramana Grootetjie, has been left devastated by her eldest son’s death.
“Ramana took her two children after the funeral and left with her mother to Atlantis,” says Chrystal.
“She just wants to get away from this house, the memories. It’s heartbreaking.
“We also know the two suspects appeared and look forward to the case and getting justice for Valentino.”
GONE TOO SOON: Tiny pallbearers alongside Valentino Grootetjie's white coffin.
Community activist, Lucinda Evans, says she was overwhelmed by the support the family received from donors after sending out a call for help with Valentino’s funeral.
The family had run out of funds after they buried the boy’s oupa just a week prior to his death.
“I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who contributed, we are all really grateful.
Video: Tracey Adams
“Now I am focused on raising funds to buy the family a new Wendy house and to help them relocate.
“They have not been back in their space since Valentino died. How could they?”
Little Valentino was laid to rest at Muizenberg Cemetery.