Teenage father stabbed to death in Chatsworth

The community is reeling in shock after 18-year-old Crossmoor resident, Kwanele Makaula succumbed to a stab wound sustained to his upper body (heart).

The victim’s distraught mother, Vuyiswa Makaula, told the Rising Sun that her son’s death came as a shock to not just the family, but the entire community.

She said, “On the day, he told me that he was going to a local tavern in the area. Little did I know that my bubbly son would never return to me again. He was a polite, loving, caring and well-mannered individual, who always made everyone smile.”

Makaula was the father to a six-month-old son. The family wants justice to prevail and demand that the perpetrator faces the full wrath of the law.

She added, “According to what we have heard from his friends is that he had collapsed before the suspect brutally stabbed him. The suspect thereafter fled the scene of the crime.”

Chatsworth police officers and paramedics responded to the scene. Makaula was transported to a local hospital, however, due to the seriousness of his injury, passed away.

Confirming the incident, communications officer of Chatsworth SAPS, Cpt Cheryl Pillay stated that police responded to a murder, which occurred at the Bottlebrush Informal Settlement on Sunday, November 22.

“It is alleged that an 18-year-old victim was stabbed at the informal settlement. He was thereafter taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Sadly, the victim passed away at the hospital. Chatsworth SAPS is investigating a case of murder. Police have intensified their investigations with possible arrests imminent,” Cpt Pillay said.

Friend of the deceased, Ramona Valayathan of Raffia Road, said that they are tired of the murders at the informal settlement.

“We, as a community, want to put an end to these murders. About a month ago, there was another murder, which occurred at the informal settlement and it seems like it is becoming a norm.”

The residents want the SAPS to intervene and a CPF structure to be put in place to curb the killings in this area, as they are aware that police patrols cannot be conducted because there is no proper road structure at the informal settlement.

The family wants to transport Makaula’s body back to the ancestral hometown and is pleading with the community to assist them in doing so.

Survival Centre, based in Chatsworth, is trying to raise funds to assist in sending the body back to the ancestral land. If anyone wants to donate, they can contact Rev Ethan Ramkuar on 084-409-6626.