A young mother from Hanover Park has died a hero after being struck in the head by a gang bullet while shielding children during a shooting on Sunday.
Hartseer relatives of Gouwa Karriem, 28, say they are still in shock after finding the bubbly woman’s lifeless body in Donegal Court in the doorway of a council flat.
For nearly two days, residents living in the area between Donegal and Algoa courts reported ongoing shootings amid a bitter turf war between the Americans and Ghetto Kidz gangs.
Residents say heartless gunmen ran into Donegal Court shortly before 4pm and opened fire on women and children.
They say a brave Gouwa ran to get a few children standing outside into the flats and a bullet hit her in the back of the head.
Her sister, Ashieqa Van der Westhuizen, 25, says she rushed home after receiving a call from a friend about the shooting.
“I was in Maitland and came back immediately. When I got there, her body was already covered and the blood was everywhere,” says the devastated woman.
LIFELESS: Gouwa Karriem's body outside Donegal Court. Picture: Supplied
“They told us she protected the children and that is how she was shot.”
Police spokesperson, Mihlali Majikela, confirms the incident and says: “On arrival officers found the body of a 28-year-old woman lying on the ground with a gunshot wound in the upper region of her body.
“Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made as yet”.
Monday residents gathered at Gouwa’s home to commiserate with her family.
SHOCK: Family devastated. Picture: Supplied
Ashieqa says Gouwa has three young children, who will now be raised without their mother.
“Her oldest son Abdul Mueez is only eight -years-old and he is just quiet after hearing his mother is dead,” she says.
“She has another six-year-old son, Mogamat Firaz, and a daughter, Imrah, who is only four-years-old.
TRAUMATIC: Residents of Hanover Park at the court where gangsters had deadly gun battle. Picture: Supplied
“She was unemployed, but most of the time she walked to the shops for the old people. I still can’t believe she is gone.”
“Police urge anyone with information that can assist the investigation to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.