A young father was robbed and killed by skelms- on his birthday.
Cinga Qotyi woke up on Sunday morning eager to celebrate his 25th birthday, not realising it would be his last day on earth.
Residents say the dad of one was attacked on the bridge connecting Kalkfontein and Highbury Phase 3 in Kuils River.
Cinga was stabbed in his chest and robbed of his shoes and cellphone.
His body was found by shocked passers-by.
KILLED: Father Cinga Qotyi. Picture supplied
Brian Papier of the Riverside Gardens Neighbourhood Watch says residents are living in fear as skollies regularly target them at the crime hotspot.
“People fear walking between Bet-el School and Highbury Phase 3 because that bridge is a crime hotspot where people get robbed all the time,” he says.
“On Sunday a man was killed there and on his birthday.
“He was stabbed and his shoes and cellphone were taken.
“Just two weeks ago, another man was robbed while walking over the bridge with his three-year -old child.
“Winter is coming and we need spotlights on both ends of the bridge to make it safer for the community, before another person loses their life.”
LIVING IN FEAR: Brian Papier
Cinga’s older sister Khayakazi Mlamla, 47, says he turned 25 on Sunday.
“He was so happy. He has a two-year-old daughter and just last week he started a new job as a stocktaker,” she says.
“He even asked me to sing him happy birthday that day.
“We were laughing and happy and now he is gone. I have not slept since Sunday night,” the hartseer woman says.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk confirms a case of murder is being investigated.
“On Sunday at about 6.25pm, a Kuils River SAPS patrol vehicle attended to a complaint at the canal bridge in Old Nooiensfontein Road, Gersham, Kuils River.
“On the scene they found a 25-year-old male with one stab wound to his left shoulder.
“The deceased had no shoes on his feet.
“No suspects have been arrested.”