EXECUTED WITH A ‘SILENCER’ - Manenberg man, 22, found at canal after he was ‘shot by a rival gangster’

A 22-YEAR-OLD man was executed at close range at the Manenberg canal in a chilling gang hit where the gun was allegedly pressed against his chest so no one would hear the shot.

A relative of the victim told the Daily Voice that the man was ambushed while walking near the canal and never stood a chance, as alleged Fancy Boys gunmen allegedly pressed the firearm against his chest before pulling the trigger.

When the Daily Voice arrived at the scene, the relative, who chose to remain anonymous to protect her family, described what had happened. 

She explained: “According to an eyewitness who was walking with their child, they said that Fancy Boys told them, ‘jy loop net vooruit of ons jou gaan skiet en jy sê niks’.

“They said that they saw the victim on the other side of the canal being approached by the Fancy Boys. 

“The victim then stopped walking and asked one of the attackers, ‘wat gaan aan?’. 

“That’s when more gangsters came from a tunnel and they held a gun right up against his chest. “That’s why when they shot him, no one heard the gunshot. Hulle het dwaars teen sy bors geskiet.”

The relative added that the killing is allegedly linked to an incident in which two mense were shot outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court in December.

She said: “[The Fancies] tried to force the victim to become one of them. But he was a Hard Livings member and refused.”

The man is survived by his father and sister after his mother passed away during a fire incident two months ago. 

According to the relative, the mother’s death had a negative impact on the victim’s life and he was using drugs, but they attempted an intervention.

She added: “Two months ago, he lost his mother in a fire. And since then, he has spiralled. He stayed away from his home, only coming home in the evenings to eat.

“He got deep into drugs. He had no contact with his mom’s side of the family.”

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said that Manenberg police registered a murder case for investigation.

Van Wyk reported: “Manenberg police registered a murder following a shooting incident on Wednesday at 6.15am at the canal on Duinefontein Road, Manenberg, in which a 22-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded.  

“SAPS members attended to a shooting incident at the mentioned address and on arrival found deceased laying on his back with one gunshot wound to the chest. 

“Circumstances surrounding this shooting incident are under investigation. The motive for this attack is yet to be determined.”

Anyone with information about this fatal shooting incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.