The Elsies River Community Police Forum has expressed concern after a teenager succumbed to injuries in hospital after the boy was a victim of a shooting incident in Avonwood over the weekend.
SCREENSHOTThe police said the 13-year-old alongside a 17-year-old boy
were shot in the neck and face.
‘’Elsies River police are investigating two counts of
attempted murder following a shooting incident in Betty Street, Avonwood, in
which two boys age 13 and 17 were shot and wounded on Saturday evening, 05
October 2024. Police members responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon
arrival on scene the victims were already transported to a nearby hospital for
medical treatment. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to the neck and face.
According to reports the victims were walking in the road when they heard gunshots
going off and were caught in the crossfire. The suspect/s are yet to be
arrested,’’ said Sergeant Wesley Twigg, Western Cape police spokesperson.
The suspects are yet to be arrested.
Resident took to the streets on Monday, in protest following
the death of the teen. This follows speculation by the community that the
teenager was shot by police. Police have however clarified that both teens
already sustained gunshot wounds once officers responded to shooting complaints
in the area.
The Elsies River Community Policing Forum (CPF) however
says at this stage there is no clarity around the circumstances of the incident
other than that police responded to reports of a shooting incident.
‘’The Elsies River Community Police Forum notes with
concern the death of 12-year-old Devano van Wyk who died of his injuries
following a shooting incident in Avonwood, Elsies River. At this stage there is
no clarity around the circumstances of this incident other than that police
responded to reports of a shooting incident. When they arrived at the scene the
police vehicles were attacked and police responded with rubber bullets,’’ said Imraahn
Mukkadam, Elsies River CPF Public Relations Officer.
‘’The ERCPF position is that if the young boy was injured
by police action, the matter should be investigated by IPID and if police
action was unwarranted then the SA Human Rights Commission should also
investigate. Our primary concern will always be the safety of our community
especially our children. It is unacceptable that our children has to be
constantly exposed to such a hostile environment where their lives are at risk
from the many active shootings in our area on an almost daily basis.’’
‘’We refuse to accept these deaths as collateral damage or
unintentional. We believe every child has a right to a safe environment and
that the fact that these senseless killings continues unabated indicates that
the state and its law enforcement agencies are failing in their duty to protect
and ensure a safe living environment,’’ added Mukkadam.
Mukkadam appealed to the public to not spread misinformation
around the incident as it could affect the outcome of the investigation.
‘’We appeal for calm and request that those opportunistic
forces who exploit volitile situations for either sensationalism or disruptive
agendas without knowing all the facts to refrain from inciting our already
traumatised communities.’’
‘’The Elsies River Community Police Forum will keep a
watching brief on the police and if neccesary IPID investigation to ensure all
the facts involving the death of young Devano van Wyk is brought to the fore,’’
added Imraahn Mukkadam, Elsies River CPF Public Relations Officer.
Done By: Mitchum George
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