A Mitchells Plain teen has died a hero during a shooting in Lentegeur on Saturday.
Witnesses say Chad Basson, 19, selflessly shielded his friend from bullets during a drive-by shooting when the group was mistaken for gangsters.
His heartbroken father, Cornelius, 54, says he is still reeling from shock after seeing his son’s bullet-ridden body in the yard of a home in Marigold Street.
PAIN: Dawn, Cornelius Basson. Photo: Monique Duval
According to a witness, who asked not to be named, Chad and his friends attended a 21st birthday party on Friday night and during the early hours on Saturday the group was socialising outside a house when a white VW Golf came driving by.
“The people in the car asked if they were gangsters and they said no and they drove on. There were first three guys in the car, but when they came back there were five guys and they just started shooting,” the witness says.
“Chad was shot in the neck and the back and then the driver told them to ‘ make him klaar’ and the one shot him in the head. He opened the gate and tried to shoot him in the head again, but missed.”
Two other men, aged 20 and 24, were shot and wounded.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, says police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder, with no
arrests yet.
Chad matriculated from Portland High School in 2016 where he obtained several distinctions and was recently employed at a jewellery manufacturer.
“Chad was the baby of the family and worked hard. He just got his job and was so excited because he just wanted to help the family financially. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” says the witness.
His heartbroken mother, Dawn, 50, was rushed to hospital shortly after seeing the body of her dead son.
“They told us that Chad helped get all the people in the house to protect them and he was killed. They killed him like a dog and he did not deserve this,” the grieving mom tells the Daily Voice.
“They just shoot at people because of territories, but Chad had nothing to do with that stuff. I just want them to know they killed an innocent person.”