A family and community are devastated following the death of 16-year-old Joshua Edwards who was shot dead on a plot in Blue Hills on 5 January.
Joshua’s parents and Centurion residents Tim and Julie Edwards said they would not give up in ensuring that justice took its course in the investigation surrounding the death of the former HeronBridge College learner.
“Julie and I are not coping. Fourteen weeks later, we are still in shock and traumatised. I still can’t believe my perfect and beautiful son has been taken,” said Tim.
The family said they have spent a substantial amount of money hiring private investigator Paul O’Sullivan to investigate the matter after they were disappointed by the apparent lack of action from investigators at Olievenhoutbosch Police Station where the case was reported.
The family said a murder case was opened with the police, however, there have been no updates on the case.
Julie said on 5 January, Joshua wanted to visit a school friend on a plot in Blue Julie dropped Joshua off and spoke to the friend’s mother for a few minutes before returning home, intending to drive back and fetch his son later in the afternoon in time for dinner at home.
“Less than two hours after dropping Josh at the house, I received a call from a man to say there had been an accident. I frantically asked if Josh was okay but the voice on the other end of the call responded to say no, he has passed away,” said Julie.
She rushed over and called her husband along the way. “Upon arrival, I discovered Josh had been shot with a shotgun inside the house.
“My husband arrived moments after me and ran into the house.
“He tried to resuscitate Josh, but it was too late. Josh was lying in a pool of blood and had multiple wounds. Neither the police nor the ambulance service had been called,” Julie claimed.
O’Sullivan told the Midrand Reporter that he had re-interviewed witnesses and gave police a case summary insisting that they complete the investigation but so far nothing had been forthcoming. “The fact that no arrests have been made so far is a travesty of justice.”
“We need to create public pressure on police to ensure that something is done. Police are using delays from a forensic side as an excuse now,” he claimed.
“This is an open and shut case. You cannot have a situation where a person has a licensed firearm and aggregates responsibility by leaving it lying around. This was a death waiting to happen.”
O’Sullivan said the family deserved justice and it was now nothing more than a guessing game as to when police would take action.
Spokesperson for Olievenhoutbosch Police Station, Sergeant Pretty Mokadi, said she could not provide any information on the case. She said that inquiries should be directed to Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo.
Masondo was contacted multiple times for comment but had not provided comment by the time of going to print.
A Back-a-Buddy fundraiser was started to assist the family in funding the payments for the private investigator. Visit www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/justice-for-joshw
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