Cape Town - An heroic grandfather from Manenberg has died after getting caught in a gang fight on Monday.
It is believed that Lesley Idas, 67, tried to prevent gangsters from shooting another gang member but then he was shot in the face several times.
His family says Lesley was on his way to collect his pension money when he was killed.
They say he was innocent and not involved with gangsterism.
According to a police source, shortly after 4am several shots rang out in Red River Road and on arrival they found the grandfather lying face down with blood flowing in the street.
“There was a group of gangsters in a silver Toyota Avanza who went up to a member of the Jesters gang and started a fight,” says the source.
“The old man intervened and they shot him in the face several times. They also shot the Jester in the neck and in the leg and he ran towards Renoster Road, but is still alive.”
Lesley’s niece, Nuraan Williams, says he was on his way to collect his pension when the shooting happened.
She explains the grandfather lived in both Delft and Manenberg and was visiting his girlfriend and relatives in Peta Court this week.
“We were still sleeping when they came to knock and say he was shot. We didn’t soema open the door because you don’t just open doors here in Manenberg at that time of the morning. But when we went to look we saw him there.”
Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut confirms the shooting and says: “The 67-year-old was walking down Red River Road when gunfire erupted. The circumstances are being investigated.”
Meanwhile, a friend of Lesley’s in Peta Court says he is very heartbroken.
This pensioner, who asked not to be named, says he has known Lesley for 30 years.
“I have known him for as long as I am living here. Dis nou dertig jaar. (This is now thirty years.) He has a daughter who lives in Delft but he was not married."
“Ek is baie omgekrap (I am very upset). Uncle Les was a peaceful man en het nooit moelikheid gesoek met mense nie, en hy was nie met die gangsters nie (he didn't look for trouble and he was not with the gangsters).”
When the Daily Voice visited Peta Court on Monday, most of the man’s relatives were out making funeral arrangements, and his girlfriend refused to come out of her flat.