Hanover Park residents were angered on Monday when they were denied access at Athlone Magistrate's Court as the two skollies accused of killing Ameerodien Noordien made their first appearance.
Shortly after 10 am a group of about 50 people gathered outside court to picket as Adrian Carelse, 21, and his 17-year-old alleged accomplice appeared on murder charges.
But the group was left upset and angry when they heard they would not be allowed inside the court room as the 17-year-old is a minor and the matter would be held in camera.
Ameerodien, 19, a volunteer for the Gift of the Givers organisation, died in his father’s arms after he was caught in a crossfire during a gang shooting in Surwood Walk on 5 October.
His death sparked widespread cries for police intervention and, within days, Police Minister Bheki Cele deployed his new Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) in the area.
Carelse, a member of the Americans gang, handed himself over at Philippi Police Station on Thursday and the next day the 17-year-old was arrested.
Carelse claims he is innocent and that residents have wrongfully fingered him as the shooter.
Standing outside court, residents called for justice for Ameerodien and carried posters saying: “No bail for Ameerodien’s killers”.
LOCK UP: Adrian Carelse, 21, at the Athlone courthouse
“Nou vir wat kan ons nie ingaan nie? Hulle skiet mense, en nou protect die hof vir hulle,” an angry woman was heard shouting as she left court.
Ameerodien’s dad, Mogamat Alwie, 46, was enraged when he, too, was locked out of court.
“The detective came to me afterwards and told me the case is postponed to 15 November and that Adrian is going to Pollsmoor and that laaitie is being sent to a home,” the father said.
Alwie says despite his earlier statements that he did not want to face his son’s alleged killers, he built up the courage to go to court in the hopes of getting answers.
“I just want to know why they shot him. Adrian en Ameerodien was saam op die skool en nou is my kind dood,” he said.
“The court says they must protect a juvenile. They say he is a child, maar hy doen grootmens dinge. Hy maak mense dood.
“The people were angry, we want justice for Ameerodien and we will be here for all their court appearances.”
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, says both accused indicated they won’t be applying for bail.
The case has been postponed to 15 November.
monique.duval@inl.co.za