14-year-old shot dead by robbers
14 year old tragically shot and killed during a robbery
A 14-year-old boy was tragically shot dead during an armed robbery in the KwaMthandi area on Saturday night.
The Mdakane family were in their house when they heard a knock at the door.
The door burst open and three armed gunmen stormed in.
One of the children made a fateful decision to make a dash for safety, successfully managing to run outside in the ensuing chaos.
The rest of the family were held at gunpoint and robbed of a cell-phone and cash.
A scuffle ensued during the robbery and the family managed to successfully push the suspects out of the house and barricade the door.
The robbers desperately tried to regain entry into the house through the door and windows, but failed to do so.
The relieved family waited it out, praying that the robbers would leave.
It was then that they heard gunshots shattering the night’s silence as they huddled together, the younger ones sobbing.
Silence returned after the gunshots and police believe the robbers fled at this stage.
The terrified family eventually summoned the courage to venture outside. To their horror, they found one of their children lying in a pool of blood.
The boy had managed to escape the initial attack, but found himself locked out when the family chased the robbers outside. It is not known how they stumbled on him…
Another person in a house nearby was also shot and injured as the robbers made their escape.
The deceased has been identified as 14-year-old Senzeni Derrick Mdakane. The injured neighbour is recovering in hospital. The Mdakane family is severely traumatised after their ordeal at the hands of vicious criminals.
Mr Mdakane, the father of the household, is devastated and in a state of shock. He says he was not only robbed of his belongings, but also his precious son.
“We will never forget our beloved son, Senzeni. “He was too young to die and this is so unfair to lose him in this way,” said a heartbroken Mr Mdakane. Ladysmith police are investigating a case of house robbery, murder and attempted murder.
Update: On Thursday morning (October 10) during a police operation in the KwaMthandi area, officers from Ladysmith Detective Services, the Ladysmith Visible Policing Unit, Ladysmith Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Ladysmith Crime Intelligence & Protection Service (CIPS) arrested two suspects for the murder of the 14-year-old. The suspects, who are both 19 years of age, will appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court today (Monday). They face charges of murder, attempted murder and house robbery. In addition to the arrests, seven people have been brought in for questioning regarding the same case.
