“I couldn’t attend court because I couldn’t handle seeing the faces of the men who killed my child.”
These are the heartbreaking words of mom Jaylene Jaftha, 33, who stayed at home as her 13-year-old son’s alleged killers made a brief appearance in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Jean-Lee, 13, was fatally shot when a fight broke out between rival gangs in Spandau Street, Kleinvlei on September 13.
The teen was caught in the crossfire and died on the scene. The suspects, aged 18 and 21, allegedly belonging to the Beach Cats gang were arrested shortly after by the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit.
It is believed that Jean-Lee was walking to fetch a chair for a neighbour and on his way back, a stone-throwing fight between the Horribles and Beach Cats broke out.
The accused then allegedly opened fire and Jean-Lee was struck once in the head.
Another female was also injured during the shooting.
Jaylene tells the Daily Voice that her heart is shattered.
“My child was innocent and still had his whole future ahead of him,” she said. “Look at his last moments, he was helping someone, he always helped everyone. How could this happen to him?”
The mom, who also walked out of the accused’s first court appearance, explains that she did so for her own sanity.
“I saw their faces and the way they also looked at me, I could see the evil in their eyes, so I left and I prefer to keep it that way because they apparently asked to shake my hand to say sorry, but how can you trust people who are responsible for my son's death?”
The matter was postponed to December 4 for further investigation.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za