Another young life was violently taken this weekend, leaving the people of Mitchell’s Plain even more traumatised.
Nathaniel Morné Hendricks, 14, from Eastridge, was walking to the shop with his cousins on the evening of Saturday May 5, when a stray bullet found the back of his head.
Neighbours saw the gunman but did not get a good look at his face as he fled. They rushed Nathaniel to Groote Schuur Hospital.
“He was overwhelmed by what had happened to him,” said a relative.
On Sunday, Nathaniel was declared brain dead.
“There are bystanders and witnesses that know who the people are that are shooting in our community but they’re too afraid to speak up because they fear for their lives. The police patrol for five minutes then they’re gone,” he said.
Nathaniel was described as being a good pupil at school and a well-loved friend.
He stayed with his aunt in Eastridge so that he could be closer to AZ Berman Primary School as well as his high school, Tafelsig High School.
“Over the long weekend, we went to Ratanga Junction and spent time with our family. I will never forget my time with him. Our family needs time, this is all new to us,” said the relative.
Sergeant Jerome Voegt from Mitchell’s Plain police station said the investigation is still ongoing.
Nathaniel’s funeral will take place on Saturday May 19, at Shekinah Full Gospel Church in Beacon Valley, at 8.30am.
