NINE-YEAR-OLD Nizhar Ariefdien is “lucky” to be alive after being shot in gang crossfire, but his dream of becoming a soccer star might never come true.
The little boy's mother, Raeesa Ariefdien, lamented yesterday that her son's dreams of playing soccer professionally could now be dashed.
This comes after the Grade 4 pupil, who attends Talfalah Primary School in Manenberg, was struck by a stray bullet in the upper part of his right leg while playing outside on Saturday evening.
Nizhar was shot a stone's throw from his Karen Court home, where a 34-year-old man was also recently shot and wounded.
The incidents happened just metres away from the notorious Pecos Walk, where alleged Hard Livings gang member Angelo Davids was shot and killed in July.
Ariefdien, a mother to three children, was preparing a bath for Nizhar at about 7pm when she heard gunshots. She thought her son was in their home at the time.
The boy was on his way back from a nearby shop when he saw a white car with a group of unknown men pass by.
“I heard there was shooting but I did not know that he was affected, because in my mind he was still eating his food.
"When I went out the front door, I saw him lying on the ground. I was so terrified because he was just in the house and the next thing I knew he was shot,” said Ariefdien.
She said Nizhar was hit while trying to flee the gunfire by running into their yard.
Nizhar’s visibly shaken siblings and cousins were at his bedside yesterday after he had been discharged from hospital.
“He was very strong at the hospital. Our children are not safe here in Manenberg,” said Ariefdien.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said cases of attempted murder are under investigation following the incident at Karen Court, but no one had been arrested.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively SMS Crime Line on 32211.