Laudium shooting victim mourned

"He was so humble and polite. He was only 31-years-old."

July 14, 2020

Marizka Coetzer 2 minutes read

The young man who was shot and killed in a shooting incident at a business in Laudium last week Friday was described as a humble and kind person. On Friday 10 July, paramedics were called to a local restaurant where the owner’s son, Farhaas Kotwal, had been shot and killed. Another person was also injured in the shootout.

“He was a wonderful person,” said Rafique Mallam, a work colleague.

Mallam described Kotwal as a down-to-earth person and further said the family is in mourning about his passing.

“He was so humble and polite. He was only 31-years-old,” said Mallam.

Mallam said he wasn’t at the restaurant when the shooting happened because he had finished work for the day. He only heard the devastating news afterwards. On the night, paramedics from Cert-SA, Netcare 911 and Emer-G-Med with police were called to the scene in 10th Street.

Upon their arrival, paramedics found that one victim sustained moderate injuries while Kotwal was in a critical condition after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

“The critically wounded patient had to be stabilised on scene before being airlifted to a trauma facility by the Netcare911 air ambulance medical helicopter,” said Cert-SA spokesperson Ruan Heyns.

The other patient was transported to a nearby hospital in a stable condition.

ALSO READ: Shooting victim recovering

“Kotwal, whose identity was made known on Laudium Today, a community social network, shortly after the incident, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.”

He was laid to rest on the same day. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still unclear and under police investigation.

Police are appealing to anyone with information to assist with the investigation. Police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela appealed to anyone with information surrounding the shooting to come forward. Mavimbela further said police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder.

“We are making an appeal to the public, especially anyone who could have witnessed the incident or has any knowledge of any person who could possibly have any motive to attack the victims, to contact the police anonymously on 08600-10111, send an SMS to 32211 or via the MySAPS app.”

Meanwhile, tributes to Kotwal poured in on Facebook. Shahima ‘Shimmer’ Aboobaker wrote: “You were not only my cousin, but a protective brother, and a super-fun best friend. We had so many good times. Whenever you were around everyone knew it was going to be fun and always memorable. This is so hard on all of us cousins and you will always be missed and always loved. Will wait patiently for the time we all meet in Janaat one day insha’Allah ameen.”