A 25-year-old man was shot and killed in an alleged drug-related shooting on Wavemore Place in Grove End, Phoenix, KZN on Saturday.

According to his mum, Tessa Pillay, Teage Cole Young will be remembered as a kind and humble gentleman who was very respectful.

“My son didn’t have any enemies that I know of. He wouldn’t hurt anybody. It is painful for my family that a son that we all admired is not here anymore,” says Pillay.

Teage’s girlfriend, Bronwin Govender, says she hopes nobody else experiences what they are going through right now.

“Teage and I had plans together, but they were shattered within seconds. Why would a fellow human act so cruel?” she asks.

Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram says they were called out to the scene after residents reported multiple shots being fired at a blue Volkswagen Polo. “On arrival, we discovered SAPS in attendance. The body of a deceased man was located outside a block of flats.”

According to neighbours, the deceased was seated in his vehicle when two men opened fire at him. They say he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot but collapsed a few metres away and was declared dead by paramedics.

However, Teage’s mum has refuted claims, saying that a similar incident happened to her brother six years ago and still justice has not been served.

“I feel as if we were made out as easy targets to those criminals around us. My son was in front of me while I was getting ready for my daughter’s party when he investigated somebody calling in the backyard. All I heard was the sounds of fireworks and then silence. Teage was lying in a pool of blood with several bullet wounds all over his body,” Pillay shares.

Phoenix SAPS spokesperson Captain Louise Naidoo says it is alleged that the victim was opposite his home with two others, washing his vehicle.

“They were approached by two unknown men. It is claimed that Teage did not entertain them and told them to leave after they wanted drugs. Both suspects pulled out pistols and shot at Teage. Several shots were fired until he fell behind his home.”

It is alleged that the suspects fled on foot towards the Phoenix highway and possibly jumped into a gold Avanza with partial numbers seen on the vehicle registration plate.

Naidoo adds that it is alleged the same two suspects were seen in the morning with the same gold Avanza parked across the street on the Phoenix highway.

“There was a bullet hole in the rear window of the victim’s vehicle and a live round was found at the scene. There were more than 15 rounds fired at the scene.”

Young will be laid to rest on Saturday.