Phoenix teen murdered a day before his 17th birthday
Two projectiles and five spent cartridges were found at the scene.
The parents of a 16-year-old Westham teen were looking forward to celebrating his 17th birthday on Sunday, but will never share this special moment with him, after he was shot dead in a hail of bullets, on Friday evening outside his home.
According to the Govindsamy family, their son, Jermaine Kyle Govindsamy, who was an only child, was on his way to his parents after leaving his grandmother’s house when the drama unfolded.
According to KZN VIP spokesperson, Gareth Naidoo, Jermaine was killed in a drive-by shooting.
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He said, “Members responded to the scene after receiving multiple distress calls from residents. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a teen was shot multiple times while he was walking home by unknown gunmen. Unfortunately, there was nothing paramedics could do and the victim was declared dead. Circumstances leading up to the shooting cannot be confirmed pending police investigation.”
The devastated Govindsamy family believe that an alleged drug dealer on their road is to blame for the murder of an innocent and God-fearing child.
The deceased’s mother, Chantal, said, “Comments are circulating on social media assuming that my child was involved in drugs, but I deny those claims because he did not even smoke a cigarette or was involved with the wrong company. Kyle only made time for his family, including his cousins, whom he enjoyed spending time with regularly.”
Phoenix SAPS spokesperson, Cpt Louise Naidoo, said, “Officers responded after receiving a call of a drive-by shooting. It is alleged that two teens were walking along the road when a silver grey Renault Kwid drove past and opened fire on the victim. A total of six shots were fired at the victim who later succumbed to the injuries. The other teen immediately fled into his yard and hid.”
Two projectiles and five spent cartridges were found at the scene.
Cpt Naidoo continued, “One bullet struck at a vehicle that was parked in the yard of the deceased. No other injuries were sustained by any other persons. At this stage, the suspects are unknown.”
The Govindsamy family, however, are adamant they know who the perpetrators are. An aunt of the deceased, Melanie, said, “We have been having issues with our safety for months on end, ever since we were threatened by some people who moved into the neighbourhood. My family and I were assaulted on several occasions by these people and cases have been reported to the police with no help at all. It seems as if justice is only granted to the well-connected. I am devastated at the loss of a respectable child, who was always smiling, never took any narcotics and never got angry at anything. An innocent life has been taken away from our family and we will seek justice in the court of law.”
In a related matter, two days after the shooting, at the same address, police received a call of an attempted murder.
Cpt Naidoo said, “It is alleged that a man, who is one of the alleged suspects in the murder of Jermaine, was knocked down outside his house. It is alleged by the complainant that he was out on the balcony when he witnessed his son driving into the yard and as he alighted his car, a silver grey Datsun Go vehicle collided with the vehicle, smashed the right side and front of the vehicle and knocked into his son, which caused injuries to his right shoulder and leg. The complainant opened fire at the Datsun Go. No one was shot.”
The driver of the vehicle is known and his brother, a passenger, are cousins of the deceased.
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“The suspects drove into a ditch which caused damages to the front and left side of their vehicle. The firearm used by the complainant was seized by forensics for testing. The suspect fled the scene with his brother, but later opened a case of attempted murder and pointing of a firearm. He was kept at the station until further information was received,” said Cpt Naidoo.
Investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
