Tears of disbelief flowed in Lentegeur when a popular rugby player was gunned down while chatting to a friend on Sunday night.
The heartbroken family of Nezaam Baradien, 40, gathered at his family home in Agapanthus Crescent on Tuesday to say farewell to the father of three.
Crime fighters in the community say the innocent dad was the latest casualty in widespread gang-related shootings that rocked the Lentegeur precinct on Sunday.
Cousin Mogamat Meyer, 33, says Nezaam, who worked as an electrician, was standing in the street when an unknown car came down the road and the occupants opened fire in the street.
“It was just before 9pm and he was standing in front of the neighbour’s house and was talking to two friends when the car came and opened fire,” says Mogamat.
“Nezaam was shot four times and there were about 10 cartridges on the scene.
“He was declared dead on the scene while one of his friends was rushed to hospital.”
When the Daily Voice arrived, there was a large group of shocked residents.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirms the shooting and says Nezaam was shot by an unknown suspect who is yet to be arrested. The circumstances are being probed.
Mogamat says the family is distraught: “He grew up in Lentegeur and worked as an electrician all the years. He has three young daughters that he cared for and was a centre for the Collegians Rugby Football Club.”
“We are distraught because of the manner he was killed. It was unexpected and tragic. He was a man of good character. He was never involved in criminal activity, and to be shot like that is the saddest part.”
Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Byron de Viliers said: “He was an innocent casualty in the shootings that flared up on Sunday. Up until now we have not heard what the plan is to combat these shootings and we want to know what is being done to prevent another innocent person from being killed.”
Nezaam’s janaazah was yesterday. He was laid to rest at Johnson Road Cemetery.
monique.duval@inl.co.za