Artist killed after being freed from jail

Cape Town-151022-Vuyani Nqevu, an inmate at Pollsmoor, has been taking art classes at the Prison, where his talent was discovered. He is due to be released soon. On the right is Brandon Verrooi (cor) Area coordinator Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Picture Jeffrey Abrahams. Reporter Sandiso

Cape Town-151022-Vuyani Nqevu, an inmate at Pollsmoor, has been taking art classes at the Prison, where his talent was discovered. He is due to be released soon. On the right is Brandon Verrooi (cor) Area coordinator Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Picture Jeffrey Abrahams. Reporter Sandiso

Published Jan 20, 2016

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Cape Town - Almost two months after his release from Pollsmoor Prison, following 16 years in and out of prison for crimes including theft and possession of drugs, artist Vuyo Nqevu was shot dead by a man he allegedly tried to rob.

The Cape Times ran his story in October last year when he was released on parole after months of being involved with the prison’s arts skills training course, offered to prisons by Artreach SA, a non-profit organisation.

From inmate to artist

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk said police originally opened an inquest case docket, but later changed it to murder.

A suspect was charged in connection with murder and appeared at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court in December, before the case was postponed until April, said Van Wyk.

The accused was granted R1 000 bail.

“The deceased robbed the victim and after an altercation the victim defended himself, and shot and killed the deceased,” said Van Wyk.

Nqevu’s art talent had progressed in jail under the guidance of art teacher Astrid Gebhardt, of Artreach SA.

Pollsmoor Prison’s sport, recreation, arts and culture co-ordinator, Brandon Verrooi, said the news was devastating.

“It is a sad story indeed. It is always a nice feeling to help someone be a better person, but unfortunately he passed on,” said Verrooi.

After Nqevu’s release from prison, many readers donated painting materials so he could continue with his drawing, said Gebhardt, adding that learning about Nqevu’s death was saddening.

“I was extremely upset by the news as I really believe that he was ready to turn his life around. He was so appreciative about the opportunity we had helped him achieve.

“He often spoke tenderly about everyone at Artreach South Africa, and was always ready with finished assignments that had been set.”

Nqevu was staying in a shelter and had been taking regular drawing classes at Artreach SA. Ten days before he was killed, he ran away from the shelter and did not return.

Attempts to find him had failed, said Gebhardt.

“When I last spoke to him, we discussed his wanting to perhaps make drawings for money on the Parade or at the Waterfront.

“His drawing and painting was going from strength to strength and he was often asked to draw portraits by other guests at the shelter,” said Gebhardt.

“While I feel sad and was despondent about returning to social outreach because of this, I feel that it would only be an honour to his memory to continue with our programme and find more promising individuals to support and assist with their careers.”

Nqevu dropped out of school in 1999 after passing Grade 8.

He and his family had moved from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town, but it was not long before he ran away from home, lived under a bridge and got into trouble.

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@PhalisoSandiso

Cape Times

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