The mother of nine-year-old Aqeel Davids of Ocean View, who was shot and killed nearly a year ago, wants justice for her son’s death.
The thirty-two-year-old mom was at the Cape High Court on Friday where suspect Dylan “Okwa” Petersen, 21, made an appearance.
The matter was postponed to 7 September for pre-trial proceedings and the case is expected to start in October.
Petersen, of Ocean View, was arrested in Manenberg in September 2017.
Aqeel was shot in the head while standing in the kitchen on 9 September, on the eve of his ouma Shanaaz Davids’ wedding.
Two relatives and an unknown man were wounded in the incident.
Holding photographs of Aqeel, the mother says: “He (Petersen) is going to be punished.
‘HURT’: The mom, 32. Photo: Genevieve Serra
“I break down each time, people will never know what it feels like to have your heart in your throat, my heart feels like it is being ripped out of my body.
“My dad died this year, he died of a broken heart. He was my shoulder to cry on.
“I can only ask God to help me to forgive him because I cannot right now.
“Aqeel was a very busy child, he was the sweetest and quietest child his death has affected everyone he knew.
“He (Petersen) didn’t just hurt me, he hurt everyone who knew Aqeel.”
Petersen was on bail on a drug case of 2011 and a Marines Resources Act case of 2013.
He also had a case of murder withdrawn against him in January 2017.