A Factreton family is devastated after their 19-year-old son was stabbed and killed while walking home from Youth on Friday.
The hartseer family of Zaiwyn Vermeulen say they are baffled as to why the devout Christian, along with his friend, came under attack and was left to die on a field in 14th Avenue just after 10pm.
Parents, Carol Ann and Daniel Vermeulen, say the details around their son’s murder are unclear.
Carol Ann, 40, says at the time of the attack, the family had gone out for the night, while Zaiwyn was believed to have attended a youth service at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church.
TRAGEDY: Zaiwyn Vermeulen is believed to have attended Youth at church on night of the attack.
“The family was out and he normally goes to Youth on a Friday because he was preparing for confirmation this year, but we cannot say he was definitely at Youth because we were not here,” she explains.
“People came to the house and told his aunt he was with someone who was also stabbed.”
She says it appears her son was not robbed as police recovered his cellphone and his family obtained his silver chain from the mortuary.
The family says they are unsure of how many times the teen was stabbed as information has been limited while the investigation is ongoing.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirms the incident and says two suspects have been nabbed.
“According to reports, two victims were stabbed and a 19-year-old died due to his injuries while another victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
“Two suspects, both aged 24, were arrested and once charged they will appear in court.”
ARREST DETAILS: SAPS Rwexana
Zaiwyn had matriculated from Windemere High School last year and was taking a gap year.
Uncle Mark Jacobs, 52, says the family has been overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who have come to sympathise.
“(To say that he was) popular is an understatement, the people who came here for the last few days, we never expected that. From young to old came to us,” the hartseer man says.
“We cannot explain the loss and at this stage we have a lot of questions.
“Everyone was his best friend, we walk in the mall and people come up to us to say condolences.”