The father of a murdered gangster has urged Elsies River families to kick skollies out of their homes to help protect innocent kids.
The pastor was speaking at the memorial service of three children who were shot dead along with gangster Vineto “CJ” Africa, 19, in a Wendy house last week.
More than 1000 people attended the memorial service of Toslin Samuels, 10, her brother Malcolm Junior, aka MJ, and cousin Adrian Alexander, 12, on Friday at the Adriaanse
Community Centre in Elsies River.
Mourners at the memorial service of three Elsies River kids who died in a gang hit.
Picture: Jack Lestrade
At the same time, their suspected killers, Rowan Stuurman, 31 and Peter Nokewe, 36, made their first appearance at the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court.
The two, who are alleged members of the Terrible Josters gang, are facing four counts of murder and the prosecutor said more charges are expected to be added as the investigation progresses.
Inside court, Stuurman shouted at mense in the gallery that he didn’t kill the children while Nokewe claimed “the real killers” were still walking the streets.
The matter was postponed to 27 September for bail information and the men will remain in custody.
The suspects were arrested within hours of the shocking massacre last Tuesday just after 11pm in Melton Road, Clarke Estate.
It is believed the shooters were after rival skollie,
CJ, a member of the Young Ones gang.
Crime fighters say the children were probably killed because they saw the killers.
The children’s mothers, who were sleeping in another room, were shot and injured.
The women managed to escape and screamed at neighbours to call the police.
They have since been placed in police protective custody as they are crucial witnesses in the case.
CJ was friends with the boyfriend of one of the mothers and also belonged to the Young Ones gang.
The men had apparently received a death threat before the shooting.
The two gangs are currently at war over turf in Elsies.
IN MOURNING: Over 1000 people attended the memorial service at the Adriaanse Community Centre. Picture: Jack Lestrade
At the memorial service, Pastor Patrick van Reenen told mourners that he was the father of Anthony “Lippe” Simons, a gangster who was murdered along the N1 in December 2018 during a drive-by shooting.
“We lost our son, and we cried, he was a gangster, a murderer, everyone knew him,” said Pastor Van Reenen.
“We raised our son in the church, he attended Sunday school and youth. But he chose the wrong friends.
“He made a decision to pack his clothing and to leave our home and become a gangster.
“With the biggest love we told him, do not come to our home and do not greet us in the street because just now they shoot us.
“Phone us rather and he did that.
Pastor Patrick van Reenen speaking at the memorial service. Picture: Jack Lestrade
“That is why, people, if there’s a gangster in your family, keep them away from your home because our children suffer.”
MJ and Toslin had attended Clarke Primary School.
MJ’s teacher, Marilyn
Alexander, said he was well-mannered and she loved him like her own child: “I cannot take this child off my class schedule (register), it’s really hard,” she cried.
Staff at Holy Trinity, where Adrian had attended school, said he was naughty but had respect for his elders.