Murder-suicide: Twin fighting for his life

Twins Yusuf and Yaqoob Arrison. Picture: Supplied

Twins Yusuf and Yaqoob Arrison. Picture: Supplied

Published Jan 17, 2017

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Cape Town – One of three young sons allegedly shot by their mother before she committed suicide is still fighting for his life in hospital.

Fourteen-year-old Yusuf Arrison was hit in the head and is unable to have an operation until the swelling on his brain goes down.

Meanwhile his twin brother, Yaqoob, who pretended to be dead after being shot in the hand, returned to school on Monday following the incident at their home in Orange Street, Bernadino Heights.

The boys are in Grade 10 at Bernadino Heights High School.

Their big brother Waseem Arrison, 21, was killed in the shooting.

Waseem and mother Aneesa Arrison, 43, were laid to rest on Sunday in accordance with Muslim rites.

Aneesa, a former supervisor at Shoprite Checkers at Fairbridge Mall, was found with a gunshot to her head inside her lounge, while Waseem was found lying on his bed, also with a gunshot wound to the head.

Police believe Aneesa shot Waseem and her twins before turning the gun on herself.

Yaqoob carried Yusuf out of the house on his shoulders and ran to a family friend’s house 100 metres away.

The incident happened just before 6am on Saturday.

Aneesa, who left her job a few months ago, had lost her husband Ameen to cancer two years ago.

She had purchased a new car, refurbished her home and built a swimming pool, but was apparently not coping well after losing her husband.

Ameen’s cousin, Nazeem Layloo, on Monday told the Daily Voice that while Yusuf was fighting for his life in hospital, Yaqoob insisted on going back to school: “We are not sure of Yusuf’s condition. The doctors have been waiting for the swelling to go down for two days before they can operate.

“The other one went against the family’s wishes and is back at school,” he added.

Nazeem did not want to speculate about events that led to the tragedy, until the investigation was complete: “I personally do not want to jump to conclusions; I want the police to confirm what had happened.”

He admits that Aneesa had “problems”.

“I saw them a few weeks ago and we were always in contact. I knew things were bad, but I didn’t know it was so bad,” he said.

Daily Voice

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