Cape Town - The family of slain Manenberg school caretaker Graham Jafta say they have lost their pillar of strength.
Jafta, who was the caretaker at Sonderend Primary for 11 years, was shot in the leg after he locked up and switched on the school alarm more than a week ago. He died in hospital last week.
For the past few months Manenberg has been in the grip of gang violence that has claimed several lives.
Abigail Williams, Jafta’s eldest daughter, said the gangsters had claimed “a piece of gold”.
“He was our pillar of strength. Gangsters knew him well and he was like everyone’s dad. We know that he was a good man and that he is in a better place. He always told us as children not to be involved with gangs.”
He was shot in a main artery and his leg had to be amputated.
“It was such a shock for us that he died,” Williams said. “While he was in hospital he told us to stay out of the road and away from gangs. The good memories will comfort us.”
She added it was dangerous to walk anywhere in Manenberg.
“People are being threatened. In all the years of gang shootings in the area I have never been this scared.
“Everyone is feeling powerless.”
On Monday, police vans patrolled the area while a police helicopter circled above.
Samané Manuel, who turned 21 on Monday, said the family had expected their father would make it out of hospital. He will be buried on Saturday.
His son Granville Williams, a former gangster, said no one dared walk in Manenberg’s streets after 7pm.
“I never knew it would affect our lives like this. People are traumatised and the sound of the bullets echoes through you each day.”
Education MEC Donald Grant visited the school on Monday and raised concerns about the high rate of absenteeism.
“Nearly 80 percent of pupils are absent from school,” he said.
“A funeral of an alleged gangster took place this morning, in the same street as the school, therefore many parents decided not to send their children to school.”
He added that teachers and pupils were receiving counselling support from both social workers and psychologists.
“There is also a concern for learner safety when they are not at school.
“Absenteeism is an ongoing concern and we appeal to learners to return to school.”
Cape Argus