The grieving mother of 24-year-old Ezikiel Mokitimi, known in his soccer circles as ‘Skhiya’, is calling for justice after her son was murdered on August 29 in the Ramaphosa informal settlement.
Skhiya, who worked at a local spaza shop, was stabbed in the eye with a screwdriver during a fight allegedly sparked by a dispute over a cellphone.
Beauty Mokitimi, Skhiya’s mother, recounted the moment she learned of her son’s death.
“I was at work when I got a call from the community members telling me to come home quickly because Skhiya had been stabbed,” she said sorrowfully.
“When I arrived, my son was lying in the middle of the road like a dog. He was already dead.”
According to Beauty, the suspect responsible for her son’s death lived nearby, and the incident occurred just outside the spaza shop where Skhiya worked.
The suspect (28) was arrested and released on bail on September 9.
“I want justice for my son. I cannot sleep at night thinking about him. I am broken and don’t know if I will ever heal. I will never rest until I get justice,” Beauty said.
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Skhiya was described as a kind-hearted young man who loved people and dreamt of a brighter future.
After finishing school, he did a course in chemical engineering but had to drop out when his father lost his job because they could no longer afford his tuition.
Determined to keep himself busy and contribute to the household, Skhiya began working at the spaza shop.
“He didn’t want to sit at home doing nothing. He wanted a better life for himself and loved people and soccer.
The community is hurting, too. They loved him, and we are all struggling to accept this,” Beauty said.
Skhiya was the second-born of four children. He was laid to rest on September 7.
“I want my son to rest in peace, knowing the person responsible for his death is held accountable. I cannot move on until that happens.”
Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson Constable Johannes Msimanga confirmed the suspect is out on bail and that investigations are ongoing.
“He is scheduled to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on October 29,” Msimanga said.
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