Tensions are high in Hanover Park after a suspected drive-by gang shooting claimed the life of a teenage boy.
Duwayne Tyman, 15, was shot when gunmen opened fire in Surburg Walk on Thursday May 30.
He had been sitting around a fire with three friends at his grandmother’s home, according to his uncle, Shaun Wood.
Duwayne’s friends, two boys, aged 15 and 17, and a girl, 16, were all wounded and taken to Heideveld day hospital, and later transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital, where their conditions are listed as stable, according to Philippi police station spokesman Captain Lance Goliath.
Captain Goliath said Duwayne had been shot in his back and stomach and had died at the scene.
According to Mr Wood, Duwayne was a “normal” teenager who loved spending time at his grandmother’s house. He had a two-year-old sister.
“His mother is broken, and the family is devastated. We don’t have his body yet as the autopsy will only be released on Monday, but as soon as we do, we will organise the funeral. He was not a gang member.”
Charnelle Arendse, a teacher at Belmor Primary School in Hanover Park, described Duwayne as “an angel, a sweet boy with a big, beautiful smile”.
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She remembers Duwayne as being very well-mannered, always offering his help to his teachers and friends. He had been a very jolly child who had loved dancing at school concerts, she said.
“Every morning when me and my husband picked my mom up he would come to the car and greet and wish me a great day further. He was so respectful and really a pleasure to have around at school. His cousins were in my class, and he would make an effort to greet me as he waited for them.”
He had helped everyone around him and would often assist the caretaker in the school garden, she said.
A Hanover Park Community Police Forum member, who did not want to be identified, said the Mongrels and Ghettos gangs were feuding with the Americans, and the area was very tense. The shooting that had claimed Duwayne’s life had been gang related and the gunmen had ridden in a silver Mercedes, the CPF member said. However, police could not confirm this.
“Residents ran towards the child and started screaming,” the CPF member said. “The community is in shock. When a child is shot in Hanover Park, it’s not just the family who feels the loss, the whole community does. Today there is lots of police presence, but where were they yesterday? Why must something always happen before we can have visibility? Someone must always die first.”
People took to Facebook to express their sympathies to Duwayne’s family.
Martonique Esau said: “This is very sad, man, another young innocent life taken just like that. RIP angel pie. My deepest sympathy to his parents and family.”
Chandre Wydeman said: “May your soul RIP boy. Another young soul. God please comfort his family.”
Captain Goliath urged anyone with information to come forward. Call Detective Sergeant Thembelani Mnyaluza at 072 115 5942 or 021 690 1517, or Crime Stop at 0860 10111.
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