An Ocean View family whose nine-year-old son was shot dead and two other relatives wounded has called for an end to violence in the area.
Aqeel Davids was shot in the head while sitting in his family’s living room on Saturday morning.
The shooting happened when alleged gang members chased a man who had run into the family’s back yard, according to family friend Tashreeq Lee.
An unknown man was also wounded in the shooting. The victims, aged 19, 26 and 28, were taken to hospital.
“We were standing on the stoep when this guy jumped over the back gate and into the back yard. He was followed by a group of men who then shot at him through the back gate and came around to the front of the house and shot through the window.
"I was so shocked. I could not breathe. Then I saw Aqeel laying down so I picked up his body and carried him to the car,” said Lee.
Aqeel’s aunt Faatima Petersen said: “This violence has to stop. An injury to one is an injury to all; I am sickened by this. You can’t even sit in front of your house.
“I miss him so much. He was by me every day. I remember him making this makeshift guitar on Friday. He was so excited because he made it himself. He was a very helpful child, if you asked him something, he would do it.”
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said no arrests had been made. They have appealed to anyone with information that can assist with the investigation to contact Ocean View police at 021 783 8300.
In Manenberg, community activists were forced to call off a planned march on Sunday due to shootings in the area.
The march was planned to cover the area, starting at the traffic circle in Manenberg, down the main road to Jordan Street at the opposite end of the neighbourhood.
Activist Rugshanda Pascoe said: “People are afraid, and I can’t blame them. We had to call it off because about an hour before the march was planned, a bullet missed a 3-year-old.
“The shooting started early on Saturday, and already five gangsters have died.
“We might still have the march some time this week. We have to come together as one and say enough is enough.”