Police believe they’ve made a breakthrough in the murder of a nine-year-old boy in Ocean View.
Two suspects were arrested for the murder of little Aqeel Davids earlier this month.
Aqeel was shot in the head while sitting in his family’s living room on 9 September, on the eve of his ouma Shanaaz Davids’ wedding.
In the attack, which is believed to have been gang-related, three other people, two relatives and an unknown man, were shot and wounded.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, said on Thursday that provincial detectives had been working around the clock following up on leads and arrested two suspects in Manenberg on Wednesday.
“The suspects, aged 20 and 24, are facing murder and attempted murder charges. They will appear in the Simon’s Town Magistrates’ court [today].”
“Western Cape police remain committed to sol-ving all serious violent crime cases and bringing the perpetrators to book.”
According to witnesses, the shooting happened when gang members chased a man who ran into the family’s backyard.
BREAKTHROUGH: The slain Aqeel Davids, 9
The witnesses were standing on the stoep when a man jumped over the back gate and into the yard.
They said the man was being chased by a group of men who shot at him through the back gate.
The gang then came around to the front of the house and shot through the window, hitting Aqeel.
On Thursday, the boy’s aunt Fatima Petersen said they heard about the arrests via social media.
“But I cannot comment as yet as I have not spoken to his parents about the arrests,” she told the Daily Voice.
Last Friday, fed-up Ocean View residents took to the streets to protest against ongoing crime in the area.
Residents burned tyres and other debris on the main road and threw stones at the cops.
Police used a water cannon to disperse the crowd.