Port Elizabeth - A Kimberly couple were forced to make an agonising decision to turn off the life-support system of their 19-year-old son, who was bludgeoned into a coma with a cricket bat during an apparent robbery at his student residence in Port Elizabeth.
Asadullah Ajimudin, a second -year computer science and applied mathematics student at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), is from Kimberley where his parents, Fatima and Moulana Sajyid Jalal Ajimudin, reside.
He matriculated from Kimberley Boys’ High School two years ago.
His parents rushed to Port Elizabeth from Kimberley over the weekend following the attack. Asadullah was found lying in a pool of his own blood on a couch in the flat where he lived in Ben Viljoen Street, Summerstrand, at around 4am on Saturday.
Atlas Security operations manager, Monty Montgomery, told the DFA on Tuesday that security guards were alerted to the scene after the main house’s alarm was triggered. They found the keys and remote lying outside the flatlet, which was standing open.
“The security guards found that the inside of the flat had been completely ransacked. The contents of the cupboards were strewn across the floor and a pile of clothing was stacked on the couch. As they went in, they heard groans coming from beneath the pile of clothes on the coach. Ajimudin had been covered with a blood-soaked duvet. He had extensive visible injuries to his head and was unresponsive, unconscious and covered in blood,” Montgomery said.
He added that the police found a cricket bat, covered in blood, next to a boundary wall. It is believed the robbers left it there when they scaled the wall.
“It seems as if he (Ajimudin) had fallen asleep on the couch and the robbers bludgeoned him with the bat before they ransacked the house and made of with his wallet, cell phone and laptop. No further blood or drag marks were visible in the flat,” Montgomery added.
Ajimudin was admitted to the Life St George’s Hospital, where he remained in a coma until family members turned off the life support system on Tuesday. He was buried in Port Elizabeth last night.
Police spokesman, Warrant Officer Alwin Labans, confirmed on Tuesday that police were investigating a case of murder after Ajimudin’s death.
Kimberley Boys’ High School headmaster, Graham Steele, extended condolences to the Ajimudin family on the tragic loss of a son and brother, on behalf the school staff, boys and broader KHS community.
“Asadullah was a well mannered, respectful and confident, yet humble young man who endeared himself to his peers and teachers. He was elected to the Representative Council of Learners in 2013 where he served as treasurer and leader. Asadullah and the Ajimudin family have a unique relationship with KHS, built up over the years through which the family has served the school.
“He had a natural talent for Accounting and as a result won the Accounting prize for Grade 10, 11 and 12. After Matric, Asadullah was placed fifth in his grade at Kimberley Boys’ High School. He also played cricket for the first Cricket Team in 2012 and 2013,” Steele said.
DFA